Tottenham Vs Benfica: Match Thread

[TheHoddleWaddle]

They looked so quick when attacking last night. Especially on the wings

Which made me think: when was the last time we moved the ball with that kind of pace? And we have Lennon and Townsend (at times on the wings)

We look so slow in everything we do

They were very quick with ball at feet. Ran at our defense and caused all sorts of problems. When we attacked it was generally much slower, they had time to stick 9 men behind the ball and more often than not, and our players didn't know how to get past. Its not just this game either.

 

[TheGreenLily]

They looked so quick when attacking last night. Especially on the wings

Which made me think: when was the last time we moved the ball with that kind of pace? And we have Lennon and Townsend (at times on the wings)

We look so slow in everything we do

Simple, they have been drilled and trained to do it, I doubt we do one touch passing and teaching the wingers on how to be wingers.

 

[TheGreenLily]

Looking at a couple of the games this week, what struck me most, and I suppose its obvious, is the speed and nimbleness of the top players and teams. The fast movement, the energy, the ability to pass and receive a ball. No stoppers and cloggers. We seem to have built a team for the Championship, not the Champions League. We just seem so sluggish in comparison.

Training, training, training and it is as simple as that.

 

[Shadydan]

Dude - chill. You saying that AVB's tactics had NOTHING to do with those wins, while I say they were part and parcel of a bigger picture... who's really being extreme here?

Please tell me how the tactics played a part in those wins?

 

[mattstev2000]

Please tell me how the tactics played a part in those wins?

Presumably if the tactics didn't play a part and it was all Bale we could stick him in Stoke's first 11 managed by Ronald McDonald, playing a 1 3 6 formation and the games would have still been won?

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Presumably if the tactics didn't play a part and it was all Bale we could stick him in Stoke's first 11 managed by Ronald McDonald, playing a 1 3 6 formation and the games would have still been won?

Yes. That's not a million miles from what happened against Stoke and Sunderland at the end of the season.

 

[mattstev2000]

Yes. That's not a million miles from what happened against Stoke and Sunderland at the end of the season.

Personally I like the 1 3 6 formation. Shows attacking intent. It's the Spurs way.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Personally I like the 1 3 6 formation. Shows attacking intent. It's the Spurs way.

I love the 'Spurs way'.

I have no idea what it is though...only that this isn't it.

Or maybe it is.

 

[mattstev2000]

I love the 'Spurs way'.

I have no idea what it is though...only that this isn't it.

Or maybe it is.

It does have a certain sense of familiarity about it, harkens back to the glory days of Samways and Dozzell. Maybe this is what we've been searching for all season...

 

[thinktank]

The main difference in this game is that there was one team that was totally organised and knew exactly what they were doing and another that was disorganised and didn't have a skilful plan.

Like I, and many others, have said, March will shine a stark light on tim's deficiencies.

He's out of his depth at this level. Needs to earn his stripes. He's not a managerial prodigy - a la guardiola - he's just tim and he needs to learn the ropes and go through the hoops others do before he's ready for a job like this.

Just Tim.

 

[diamondlight]

They looked so quick when attacking last night. Especially on the wings. Which made me think: when was the last time we moved the ball with that kind of pace?

Under Harry Redknapp... consistently, until the England manager fiasco. (But don't forget we still finished 4th that season, and Arsenal went on an almighty run to deprive us of 3rd.) We sacked the best manager we've had in half a century.

 

[TheGreenLily]

Under Harry Redknapp... consistently, until the England manager fiasco. (But don't forget we still finished 4th that season, and Arsenal went on an almighty run to deprive us of 3rd.) We sacked the best manager we've had in half a century.

Almighty run? I thought we imploded and got like one win 10 and threw away 10 point lead, because all Harry did was play his favourites... IF that was season you are on about.

 

[Shadydan]

Presumably if the tactics didn't play a part and it was all Bale we could stick him in Stoke's first 11 managed by Ronald McDonald, playing a 1 3 6 formation and the games would have still been won?

Didn't we do that anyway?

 

[Gassin's finest]

Painful month this, and will only get worse I fear. April can't come soon enough.

 

[Ribble]

Name the common denominator who scored winners in those games.

Actually Bale only scored the winner in one of them, he also scored an OG in the same game.

 

[Shadydan]

Actually Bale only scored the winner in one of them, he also scored an OG in the same game.

He scored in those games, either way he was a contributing factor which link the 4 games together which was my point.

 

[Ribble]

He scored in those games, either way he was a contributing factor which link the 4 games together which was my point.

He didn't win them single-handed though. Against Man United especially it wasn't Bale that won or drew the matches, it was the team fighting for 90+ minutes to secure 4 points against Fergie in his swansong season. That level of grit and determination is something we've barely seen this season and has been a massive loss.

 

[thinktank]

wtf was that stare down at FT

That gaze was a heady mix of disillusionment and cluelessness.

 

[thinktank]

I wonder if timbo still thinks 'it's a simple game'

Simpuw game innit, difenduhs difend and strikuhz scowah...*sniff*...ay...listen...*sniff*...I got a shop lot of afdashave goin mate, top smelly, 'ere 'ave a sniff o' that! Puckkah stuff yeah; do you the ohwl box fer £100 sovz. Bosh!

And ay, Oi, geeze, listen, keep it quiet mate, but I can get me 'ands on some Smedley tank tops az well, crackin' qualit'e, big wiv all the top footy boyz at the momunt, they can't git enough of 'em. Got a few mesewf, top top qualit'e, propah stuff. *Sid James cackle*

 

[dbspurs]

Right now this club needs someone with experience. Someone who has been there, seen it and done it.

The most success we have had in recent years was with Harry and the situation we are currently in feels like before Harry took over. A rudderless ship with no direction plotting a course for nowhere.

I agreed with sacking Harry after he whored himself out for the England job and we blew 3rd spot but in hindsight we should have stuck with him because things have got worse

Get Van Gaal in and let him stamp his authority on the side for a few years and then see if he can persuade De Boer to carry on the work he has done.