Tottenham Vs Borussia Dortmund: Match Thread

[18Klinsmann]

The hopeless position in the tie was crying out for Vorm, Bentaleb, Carter Vickers, Carroll , Onomah and Winks. We did not need to play Lloris, Alderweireld, Alli, Lamela . So of course we lost anyway but more importantly did not keep enough of our key players fresh for Sunday. I hope we don't regret that.

I share your sentiment, and was not happy to see Rose play for 80 minutes last night either, but injuries happen.
I think Poch felt he had to play a decent defensive core to avoid another spanking last night, which might have hurt morale and pride more than the 1-2 defeat. So, on a more positive note one might add that we did not embarrass ourselves, and we rested Kyle, Eriksen, Mousa and Kane completely, while none of our hardest working players (Rose, Alli, Lamela) played the full match. Basically I think we're better off this way than we would have been had Poch fielded an even weaker team that got spanked, but I suppose we will know on Sunday. Let's hope we can beat Bournemouth while the teams around us (that all have difficult games) drop points.

 

[Riandor]

That's not what I said, I was giving an example of when chadli played well vs a top team.
Chadli has had good games this season

Yes he has, but currently he has been poor whenever he starts games. Thats a shame, because he is a good enough player.

We don't need just good subs, we need alternative first teamers.

 

[Imnotacticalgenius]

Personally, i felt the 2 games gave a good gauge of how good a squad the first team is right now. With impending individual improvements next season, i feel that we could have a stronger team without even changing any playing personnel. But is it good enough to do well both in the league and europe? No. i honestly believe that if we could field a full strong first XI vs Dortmund on both legs without the need to worry about the league matches, we would most probably be able to match Dortmund (on aggregate). These 2 matches have shown what the squad really need to make a serious challenge to both league and europe.

This is what i think can help that.

1. Need Vertonghen fully fit (So both Wimmer and Vert can rotate in league and europe).

2. A real good DCM as alternative to Dier (very crucial IMHO). Will Bentaleb be that player or is he really having some massive issues now? Will Bentaleb be here next season? Can Ball be that player? Is he good enough? Is he ready enough? Or can Winks ready to step up next season? I think he will be a very very good DCM in the future (Actually i see Winks eventually to replace one of Mason and Carroll. Will he takes over one of them next season?). Or if they are both not ready or good enough to look overseas with the likes of Dendocker? I think both Ball and Winks need not register next season.

3. Needs Pritchard, Njie and Son to contribute massively next season. I personally think all 3 can contribute well next season.

4. Need another Striker to challenge Kane or play alongside him. I feel MDII is already a done deal. But is he good enough to contribute well instantly? And are we still after one of Berahino or Batshuayi? If MDII does come, he is young enough not to be registered,

5. Will Bentaleb, Mason or Carroll be able to improve and contribute better next season? Will Chadli improves his work rate? If Son or Njie can score more goals, i think Chadli could be shifted. Chadli goals and assists are important this and last season. I also feel that only one of Bentaleb, Mason or Carroll should be shifted as i believe they are very important to the morale and dynamics of the first team (along with Kane and Rose) as have been together for a longer while.

6. Sell Fazio and Yedlin to go for another loan.

 

[spursfan77]

Probably been covered but they are a champions league team. We aren't yet at all. Alli was playing league one last season, trippier for burnley, dier has only been playing dm for 1 season, it's Mason's second full season as a premier league player. There's lots of reasons why we aren't at that level yet.

It was definitely a good experience for the players because it shows how far they've got to go. I think this group will take it positively and want to emulate them for the rest of the season rather than going into a sulk. The manager and our key players won't let that happen.

We definitely need reinforcements in the summer, but we knew that. We are rebuilding and if anything it goes to show fans that as well as we are doing, if we want to stay battling for championships then the squad has to be improved further in the right areas. It's obvious where those are.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Oh and by the way, I forgot to mention……..

Well done Daniel Levy

*Runs away giggling

 

[TaoistMonkey]

1-2 isn't too bad is it.

 

[hughy]

1-2 isn't too bad is it.

I would have rather lost 3-0 again and had a few more shots on target if I'm honest. Just something to excite us would have been nice.

 

[Riandor]

1-2 isn't too bad is it.

Not in the grand scheme of things.
This was also a Dortmund team undefeated since January and who gave Bayern a really tough time last time out (finished 0-0). Also they have some crazy stat of over a hundred shots on goal vs 20 or so against!

BVB are a quality outfit who really shouldn't be in this competition normally.

However, the worry would have been that we worked very, too, few goalscoring opportunities.

I think I counted one or maybe two other than the absolute gift. Dortmund had us totally where they wanted us.

So that needs addressing, even if it was a weakened side we fielded.

 

[StockSpur]

that wasnt our first team either, we need a couple of decent players in maybe 3 and get shot of chadli, he brings the odd goal off the subs bench and thats about it.

 

[easley91]

There was a ton of space for Trippier only for him to stop and play sideways. If that was Walker, he would've had the pace and confidence to attack his man. Okay, maybe wouldn't have made a big difference, but the space was there to be used by someone with pace.

 

[markiespurs]

that wasnt our first team either, we need a couple of decent players in maybe 3 and get shot of chadli, he brings the odd goal off the subs bench and thats about it.

Sadly agree about Chadli.

Saw this last night, which made me smile

 

[Lamelad]

How classy are Dortmund and their manager.

 

[nicdic]

Massive overreactions in here.

We lost to one of the best teams in Europe, whilst resting some of our key players. We may still have lost with our first XI, but those claiming we're a million miles away are exaggerating. Our biggest struggle last night was in the final third. Chadli and Son were off the pace, and without a target man occupying the centre backs we had very little in terms of options going forward. You play Kane in those games, and we're immediately much more of a threat, with options going forward.

 

[longtimespur]

What I gained from last nights game was how far we have to go to get to their level. They ran both matches and were totally dominant against both the teams we put out, albeit we didn't play our "first" eleven against them.
They are also a young squad but were better in every department although still made a mistake to gift us a goal.
I was really impressed by their pressing, movement and passing, fantastic entertaining outfit to watch. I think Dortmund were/are brilliant and would possibly walk away with the PL if they were in it. (Assuming they could cope with the physicality and intensity)

Although disappointing outcome I'm optimistic our squad will realise they have a long way to go to become the finished article and this will spur them on.
IMHO no matter which team we put out it would have been very difficult to have got through this tie.
.

 

[longtimespur]

It was good to hear Poch, in his post match interview, actually admit that we need to strengthen the squad this summer.
Was thinking he may feel we have enough depth without doing so. Maybe we already have some deals in place ie: Dembele MK2 and maybe Berahino as well, but we also need MD cover for Dier. Perhaps Winks (but will be lacking experience) or Ball can play there to give Dier some rest.

 

[Mullers]

Probably been covered but they are a champions league team. We aren't yet at all. Alli was playing league one last season, trippier for burnley, dier has only been playing dm for 1 season, it's Mason's second full season as a premier league player. There's lots of reasons why we aren't at that level yet.

It was definitely a good experience for the players because it shows how far they've got to go. I think this group will take it positively and want to emulate them for the rest of the season rather than going into a sulk. The manager and our key players won't let that happen.

We definitely need reinforcements in the summer, but we knew that. We are rebuilding and if anything it goes to show fans that as well as we are doing, if we want to stay battling for championships then the squad has to be improved further in the right areas. It's obvious where those are.

-I think with a full strength side there wouldnt be too much between the teams.
When you leave the best players out, I think the rest of the players get a bit demotivated. I wouldnt be surprised if Liverpool beat them. As far as rebuilding goes I wouldnt expect a lot of players coming in during the summer.

 

[lukespurs7]

the scary thing is Bayern munich beat this lot 5-0 in there domestic league.

They also drew 0-0 2 weeks ago lol.

 

[lukespurs7]

-I think with a full strength side there wouldnt be too much between the teams.
When you leave the best players out, I think the rest of the players get a bit demotivated. I wouldnt be surprised if Liverpool beat them. As far as rebuilding goes I wouldnt expect a lot of players coming in during the summer.

Against their best XI id be very surprised if Liverpool beat them!

 

[lukespurs7]

I share your sentiment, and was not happy to see Rose play for 80 minutes last night either, but injuries happen.
I think Poch felt he had to play a decent defensive core to avoid another spanking last night, which might have hurt morale and pride more than the 1-2 defeat. So, on a more positive note one might add that we did not embarrass ourselves, and we rested Kyle, Eriksen, Mousa and Kane completely, while none of our hardest working players (Rose, Alli, Lamela) played the full match. Basically I think we're better off this way than we would have been had Poch fielded an even weaker team that got spanked, but I suppose we will know on Sunday. Let's hope we can beat Bournemouth while the teams around us (that all have difficult games) drop points.

Completely agree.

If we'd played vorm winks CCV Bentaleb etc this could've got messy maybe double figures aggregate score which would not be good for morale.

We competed better and if it wasn't for their wonder goal on 25mins we may have got more out of the game + like you say we rested 3 of our best players whilst showing we can compete with them better than we did away from home.

 

[lukespurs7]

Probably been covered but they are a champions league team. We aren't yet at all. Alli was playing league one last season, trippier for burnley, dier has only been playing dm for 1 season, it's Mason's second full season as a premier league player. There's lots of reasons why we aren't at that level yet.

It was definitely a good experience for the players because it shows how far they've got to go. I think this group will take it positively and want to emulate them for the rest of the season rather than going into a sulk. The manager and our key players won't let that happen.

We definitely need reinforcements in the summer, but we knew that. We are rebuilding and if anything it goes to show fans that as well as we are doing, if we want to stay battling for championships then the squad has to be improved further in the right areas. It's obvious where those are.

Brilliant post