The Mauricio Pochettino thread

[Frozen_Waffles]

Poch imo should not shoulder the blame for this result, a change to 352 and a more defensive outlook would not have changed things.

The truth was we were nervous and a lack of courage gave the game away. This could be a defining game for us and will make or break our season.

We need to learn to be a little bit stronger both in mentality and in our play. We didn't get about them and looked frightened.

The players need to take the blame and toughen up a bit.

 

[widmerpool]

I'm sure there are some attacking players whose attacking play has clearly benefited from Poch's coaching, but I've forgotten who they might be. Can someone remind me? Obviously it's easy to see whose defensive play has been improved under his tutelage.

 

[yido_number1]

Was always gonna be a tough game it's just frustrating individual errors threw that away. We massively need Vertonghen and Rose back at the moment. As others have noted that is the end of the top 6 away games and hopefully we can do some damage to our rivals at the lane in the run in.

 

[Japhet]

Poch imo should not shoulder the blame for this result, a change to 352 and a more defensive outlook would not have changed things.

The truth was we were nervous and a lack of courage gave the game away. This could be a defining game for us and will make or break our season.

We need to learn to be a little bit stronger both in mentality and in our play. We didn't get about them and looked frightened.

The players need to take the blame and toughen up a bit.

I think it would have made a lot of difference and I don't see it as 'more defensive' either. Mane exploited the space we left at the back which would have been better covered with 3 CBs. In a 352 set up the wing backs get forward much more freely which might well have given us some width and forward momentum. As it was, we tried to play narrower and lost out in midfield where they weren't under pressure since we couldn't get forward. They are renowned for their 'high press' and we gave them the space to do it.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I think it would have made a lot of difference and I don't see it as 'more defensive' either. Mane exploited the space we left at the back which would have been better covered with 3 CBs. In a 352 set up the wing backs get forward much more freely which might well have given us some width and forward momentum. As it was, we tried to play narrower and lost out in midfield where they weren't under pressure since we couldn't get forward. They are renowned for their 'high press' and we gave them the space to do it.

I'm not sure I agree with this. Liverpool played the same tactic against us as Man City - press our midfielders and defence as we're trying to play out at the back and when they won the ball immediately looked for a quick attacker making a diagonal run. Man City had Sterling/Sane and Liverpool had Mane but even though we played the 343 against Man City it didn't render this tactic any less effective against us. In fact Poch ended up going 4 at the back to try and get back in the game against Man City.

 

[tiger666]

I'm not sure I agree with this. Liverpool played the same tactic against us as Man City - press our midfielders and defence as we're trying to play out at the back and when they won the ball immediately looked for a quick attacker making a diagonal run. Man City had Sterling/Sane and Liverpool had Mane but even though we played the 343 against Man City it didn't render this tactic any less effective against us. In fact Poch ended up going 4 at the back to try and get back in the game against Man City.

Was about to post the same. We started the City game with 3 at the back and it was the same result until Poch changed to 4-2-3-1. I'm not sure the formation is the issue, more the tactics, style of play.

 

[yido_number1]

Was about to post the same. We started the City game with 3 at the back and it was the same result until Poch changed to 4-2-3-1. I'm not sure the formation is the issue, more the tactics, style of play.

I'd put it down to simple things like lack of concentration from Dier and Davies on the goals. Unfortunately both opportunities fell to Mane and he put them away. 9/10 Dier does better in that position and Davies is in a better position. If both mistakes didn't happen we come away 0-0 from a game we deserved nothing from.

 

[rossdapep]

I'd put it down to simple things like lack of concentration from Dier and Davies on the goals. Unfortunately both opportunities fell to Mane and he put them away. 9/10 Dier does better in that position and Davies is in a better position. If both mistakes didn't happen we come away 0-0 from a game we deserved nothing from.

What Davies was doing for the goal I have no idea. He was always going to get burned by Mane but he seemed to run towards Mane rather than towards the path of the ball which would have given him a much better chance. It's almost as if our players had completely lost their heads - typical because its one game that I really wanted us to show up for.

 

[nicdic]

Was about to post the same. We started the City game with 3 at the back and it was the same result until Poch changed to 4-2-3-1. I'm not sure the formation is the issue, more the tactics, style of play.

The problem really is to do with injuries to Jan and Rose.

 

[wooderz]

The problem really is to do with injuries to Jan and Rose.

That tells me the problem is more squad depth. Our deputies should be just as up to the task as our first team

 

[yido_number1]

The problem really is to do with injuries to Jan and Rose.

It's funny but in Jan's case you don't realise what you have there until he's out. With Jan and Toby Dier is a much better player. The three of them are a great unit. Dier is a little suspect in a back four which will improve with age. Shame to see Wimmer regress this year he was excellent last year.

 

[HildoSpur]

The problem really is to do with injuries to Jan and Rose.

The loss of Rose in particular has hit us extremely hard as it has essentially unbalanced our team and unfortunately Davies just is not able to replace the role Rose plays in our team - not really his fault as he isn't that type of player but it is obvious we need a better replacement in the summer.

 

[tiger666]

It's funny but in Jan's case you don't realise what you have there until he's out. With Jan and Toby Dier is a much better player. The three of them are a great unit. Dier is a little suspect in a back four which will improve with age. Shame to see Wimmer regress this year he was excellent last year.

To be fair to Wimmer, he's only appeared for 4 league games this season, all away. Arsenal, Chelsea, Watford, City. None of them consecutive. Not making excuses for him but it's not the easiest way to come in and settle.

Last season he had a run of 10 consecutive matches.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

That tells me the problem is more squad depth. Our deputies should be just as up to the task as our first team

We can't afford 22 players who are equally up to the task.

 

[nicdic]

That tells me the problem is more squad depth. Our deputies should be just as up to the task as our first team

No one has that.

The issue has been that we've picked up injuries to key players at the same time.

 

[yido_number1]

To be fair to Wimmer, he's only appeared for 4 league games this season, all away. Arsenal, Chelsea, Watford, City. Non of them consecutive. Not making excuses for him but it's not the easiest way to come in and settle.

Last season he had a run of 10 consecutive matches.

Completely agree with you. Probably fair to say the same about Davies it's hard to play without having some Rhythm. I think my expectations were high because he was rock solid last year.

 

[sunnydelight786]

No one has that.

The issue has been that we've picked up injuries to key players at the same time.

That then clearly comes down to recruitment & squad depth. Injuries and suspensions are to be expected, the fact we have recruited poorly AGAIN as a CL club is clear for all to see.
Our joint record signing us sitting on the bench, and has been pretty much all season, speaks volumes about our recruitment policy. Thirty bloody million on that useless twat to add the near £45m spunked on Njie/GKD/Janssen

 

[Krafty]

I think we have simply found out that we are not set up to be a team that sits back and absorbs pressure. We don't really have blistering pace high up the pitch - Son being the only real exception - and nor do we have a 'big man' to hold up the ball, win long balls and generally be an attacking focal point.

That lineup was very attacking, and anyone would have pinpointed our full backs as the players who would get exposed because with only two in central midfield, unable to cover the flanks without exposing the centre, and Eriksen, Alli and Son not really that bothered about tracking too far back, Walker and Davies were going to either be up 1 vs 1 or confused about where they needed to be. A 3-5-2 would have helped simply because it would have given us another player when we were on the back foot, and given the front four created so little it is a good argument to say one of the attacking quartet shouldn't have started. Winks coming on at half time shows that Poch realised we were getting overrun, but it was too late by then.

The key is what happens next time - what happens when we next come up against a good attack and we cannot play 3 at the back? I hope and believe Poch will have the answer.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

BTW - I don't think the "problem" is Wimmer - I think in a 4-man back line, he would be fine with Alderweireld.

I think this is more a reflection of Dier - and how Poch wants him in the line-up as often as possible. I still think this is why we moved to the 3-man back line when Vertonghen was healthy - to keep Dier on the pitch. Unfortunately, I don't think Wimmer is an effective LCB - and even less so without Rose to help out on the flank. That will be the big decision of the summer, imo. Stay with a 3-man back line, and I think we need to move Wimmer.

 

[wooderz]

No one has that.

The issue has been that we've picked up injuries to key players at the same time.

Sure not equally but not as far off the pace and ability as our backups seem to be