Tottenham Vs Chelsea: Capital One Final Match Thread

[Phil-spur99]

I was more annoyed with our 2-0 defeat in the fiorentina game than this one. Beating Mourinhos Chelsea in a cup final was always going to be difficult. He's a pragmatist and an expert at getting the job done regardless of style.

But I really expected us to go through against fiorentina and I'm pretty annoyed even still that after all those group games we just crashed out so easily.

Think Poch will look back on these past couple weeks with lots of regret. Easy in hindsight but I wonder if he could do it all again if he would have went with a stronger starting line up in the home leg

Makes all those dropped points after Thursday nights that much more difficult to take, I feel we have gone further in that competition the last few years.

 

[eddiev14]

There is a huge hole in that plan though. What if Daniel Levy doesn't want to shift the "wasters" in the squad at market prices?What if Levy does shift those players, but doesn't want to pay 25 million pounds for Morgan Schneiderlin or 15 million pounds for Jay Rodriguez or 10 million pounds for Jordy Clasie, nor feels inclined to give Yehven Konoplyanka a 3 million pound signing bonus or Danny Ings 85K a week? There's not a damn thing Poch can do if Levy mandates we can only spend what we take in via sales, and that certain players Poch prefers aren't going to be bought because they don't fit into whatever financial model we are operating under.

Pochettino should've have been given backing last summer, on the heels of us increasing television revenue from 57 million pounds to 90 million pounds. Instead, he was given 25 million pounds of defensive players who haven't really improved us and Stambouli who doesn't even play. Zero attacking players signed since Poch arrived, so my optimism for this summer being one where we improve the squad is limited. In fact, I'd be petrified of losing one or two really important pieces if we don't finish strong. Lloris leaving would be a crushing blow to the squad, and I really can't rule it out because logically speaking, he can play at a host of clubs that will pay him double what we can and who will spend money to surround him with players who are ready to win now on the biggest stage in club football.

All in all, I have sympathy for Poch. This job is very difficult. Expectations from Levy and the fans are very high (just look at the fact that last season's 69 point season was deemed a disappointment by many), and the resources aren't commensurate with a team that is sitting 13th in Deloitte's money league, and who will likely jump into the top 10 within two years (and probably leapfrog Juventus) with the 2016 tv deal.

I understand a lot of your frustration. I felt the same before we started promoting youth players.

I genuinely think that we'll see a return to the 'young prospect' signings of the Arnesen days, with Mitchell going out to find younger, less established, hungry players with the qualities Poch needs and at a fraction of the price.

With that in mind, I'm actually quite excited about the prospect of us getting players in, finally. Call me a dreamer!

I do agree, however, that we might struggle to shift the likes of Paulinho, Soldado and (especially) Adebayor.

 

[spursFanKC]

personally I hate the fact that Terry and Costa had such a big impact in the game as they are not goof or the game. Costa could be a good forward that uses bullying techniques and Terry is a an obnoxious person on so many levels.Also the ref failed to really penalize Chelsea for their non-footballing ways.

 

[Larryjanta]

Eriksen's free kick goes in or we get to 55 mins at 0-0, Zouma comes off, Chelsea have to go for it a bit more and we have the players to hurt them. There is no team in world football better than a Mourinho side at soaking up pressure and hitting on the break, using set pieces (all his sides have been big and strong). It was a tactical masterclass from him and showed why he is good, learnt from giving us space in the 5-3 and played it perfectly. Chadli doesn't tug back Ivanovic and I honestly think the 2nd half would have seen Oscar come on for Zouma. Sure, they may then have overawed us and win it easily but we'd have had a. Much better chance.

 

[worcestersauce]

Just got home from Wembley and despite the score I've had a terrific day, not depressed not gutted just a shame we didn't get the rub of the green, the ref got mugged off by their antics and Ivanovic was absolutely colossal for them today.
Unlike their supporters who really are shite, Mourinho was right, our Fans did us proud again today, knocked back a bit after the second goal but got back up and still got behind the team and the team itself three minutes into added time were still fighting and attacking givving it everything, no collapse these days, nice touch from Pochottino coming up to aplaud our fans at the end as well.
Most comical bit, Drogba came on as sub and hit the deck after 3 seconds, honestly, I kid you not.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

You have to give credit where it is due. Not everyone can play the way they play. Their fullbacks were great (didn't do 1 thing wrong and was too much for our wide players) and there wasn't any space in the middle for Kane to run at the CBs. They did a good job taking Kane out of the game.

Aside from that they had nothing going for them offensively.

In the end of the day I simply think we don't have the quality in our players to beat that kind of set up. And when you don't have luck either you aren't going to win. So its fine to lose.

Any team that relies on one goal scorer is always going to struggle against the very best side in the PL. Over the past few weeks again we have seen just how poor we defend and attack something that i am sure Poch will fix come the summer.

Though there is a long way to go we have the core of a very good side, with Lloris, Dier, Verts, Bentaleb, Mason and Kane standout players to build around. Poch will have to change the defense and find a quality partner for Kane. As to what happens to the likes of Soldado, Townsend, Lennon, Paulinho, Capoue and Kaboul i really do not give a toss, and if we are all truthful the jury is still out on Chadli and most definitely Lamela.

The future looks brighter than this time last season but without better defending and clinical finishing we will never be top four material. I watched the Scouse game today, and hate to admit to seeing a well organised, well drilled defence, and pace and options in attack, something that currently we just do not have.

Roll on end of season and let's see if Levy gives Poch an allowance worth a shit.


COYS!

 

[spursFanKC]

Had a great time watching the game in Overland Park, KS with other Spurs fans who traveled a couple of hours to watch the game,

 

[shelfboy68]

Don't know what was shown on TV but I liked how some players didn't even stay around to collect their medals.

Obviously it was nice for Kane, Eriksen and Chadli to stick around and applaud the fans but Bentaleb was just straight down the tunnel as soon as the whistle went. Obviously hates losing and will only make him more determined next time

Lol bentaleb needs to get used to it if he stays at spurs but he played well.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

It was a victory for Mourinho's spoiler tactics, which started before a ball was kicked with his mind games to influence the referee and our players, and continued with the way his players have been coached to play.

They won by two deflected goals. Hardly something to shout about.

My friend we would have taken that all day long.

They were by far the better side on the day as we were a few weeks ago. Have to give credit where it's due. The Shitty One just stopped our single open play threat. Not difficult when you look at our supporting cast i am afraid to say.

 

[shelfboy68]

My friend we would have taken that all day long.

They were by far the better side on the day as we were a few weeks ago. Have to give credit where it's due. The Shitty One just stopped our single open play threat. Not difficult when you look at our supporting cast i am afraid to say.

Spot on its About getting results and they fo it better than anyone their manager is top class in doing that, i would have accepted that all day long to win.

 

[Dan Yeats]

What? I thought the capitalised statements were instructions and I didn't read the rest so I didn't realise you were joking.

WHAT THE FUCK AM I GOING TO DO WITH 25 BODIES DAN??????? DAN!!??

Lime.

 

[mawspurs]

My friend we would have taken that all day long.

They were by far the better side on the day as we were a few weeks ago. Have to give credit where it's due. The Shitty One just stopped our single open play threat. Not difficult when you look at our supporting cast i am afraid to say.

True, sad but true.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

I switched off at the final whistle, can bear to watch all the after show

Poch made the players come out of the changing room and go back onto the pitch. He said on the BBC (words to the effect) that the team must respect the occasion, sponsors and tradition as well as feel the hurt.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

Argentine commentators here were saying repeatedly that Lamela didn't start because he had a swollen ankle...

I think they meant his bank balance........possibly lost in translation.................












stands well back and lights the blue touchpaper....................

 

[THFCSPURS19]

The loss is starting to hit home now....absolutely gutting

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Don't know what was shown on TV but I liked how some players didn't even stay around to collect their medals.

Obviously it was nice for Kane, Eriksen and Chadli to stick around and applaud the fans but Bentaleb was just straight down the tunnel as soon as the whistle went. Obviously hates losing and will only make him more determined next time

The loss was your fault.

 

[mrlilywhite]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating selling our best players for healthy bank balance, but Townsend is certainly not one of our better players and we should cash in to improve the team.

The same applies to Townsend but at least he didn't costs £30m and we will make a profit with him.

You missed the point I was making. I don't think Townsend has a future at this club and would happily see the back of him.
Though the reason I put that sentence in bold is because we shouldn't be judging Lamela by his fee. We bought him, we are the ones culpable for the price tag and not him. I don't think he is £30m worth of talent, even when we signed him I did not think him worth that much, but I will never hold him responsible or expect, as you put it £30m performances. There has been a lot of people asking the same question and demanding performances from him, and using the transfer fee as acceptable reasoning to question his performances, it's not!

I think a lot of us have got caught up in the "promoting Academy players fever", Yes we have a stonking Academy, one of the best in Europe if you listen to certain people, but one of the trends I have noticed is how many names get banded about recently and Pritchard is just one of many names I have heard fans claim to be good enough for the first team. promoting these players into the first team is not always going to be a easy path, and already with Ryan Mason, I am starting to see a player who I have more questions than answers. Sure Bentaleb and Kane have been very good, the latter exceptional, but they are exceptions to the rule. One swan doesn't make a summer imo.

This season has seen MoPo slowly weed out the non compliant players, and forge a team that has some sort of resemblance to the style he want's, and given all that he has had to do this season, he has performed bloody well to be 7th in the prem. Giving players from our Academy their big shot has more risks attached to it than the potential good. Pritchard is just one example of a player who has played well on loan, but comes with no guarantees of improving the first team in it's current guise, let alone the future. I would love nothing better, than to produce our own talent for the senior squad, but it will always come at the expense of short term ambition. Are Spurs fans really prepared to sacrifice potential CL spots in favour of being extremely self sustaining and promoting players from the Academy? Most of the ones that say yes, would be the ones bemoaning our ambition if it didn't come to fruition!

The £100m that we spent poorly has hit a big chord with us, and rightly so and we now find ourselves in the culture of looking to the future homegrown players. Delle ali is an example of this, and one player I am really excited about, but also one that holds a fear. With the right set-up and scouting, we can purchase players who have experience and qualities that can improve us now and leave us to sprinkle these younger, riskier assets in a more secure way.

Edit: Forgot to add that Townsend is another one of our past Academy players that most people would gladly see the back of, yet had high hopes not so long ago. Not always an exact science.

 

[dondo]

Don't know what was shown on TV but I liked how some players didn't even stay around to collect their medals.

Obviously it was nice for Kane, Eriksen and Chadli to stick around and applaud the fans but Bentaleb was just straight down the tunnel as soon as the whistle went. Obviously hates losing and will only make him more determined next time

Seen a lot of this sort of attitude this season . Liked it when rose got fouled and a Chelsea player tried to pick him up and he just ignored him and when Costa had a spat with benteleb and the next time he got the ball he was booted up in the air by one of our players. For to many years we have been to nice to the opposition, were are their to beat them not make friends

 

[TH1239]

The same applies to Townsend but at least he didn't costs £30m and we will make a profit with him.

You missed the point I was making. I don't think Townsend has a future at this club and would happily see the back of him.
Though the reason I put that sentence in bold is because we shouldn't be judging Lamela by his fee. We bought him, we are the ones culpable for the price tag and not him. I don't think he is £30m worth of talent, even when we signed him I did not think him worth that much, but I will never hold him responsible or expect, as you put it £30m performances. There has been a lot of people asking the same question and demanding performances from him, and using the transfer fee as acceptable reasoning to question his performances, it's not!

I think a lot of us have got caught up in the "promoting Academy players fever", Yes we have a stonking Academy, one of the best in Europe if you listen to certain people, but one of the trends I have noticed is how many names get banded about recently and Pritchard is just one of many names I have heard fans claim to be good enough for the first team. promoting these players into the first team is not always going to be a easy path, and already with Ryan Mason, I am starting to see a player who I have more questions than answers. Sure Bentaleb and Kane have been very good, the latter exceptional, but they are exceptions to the rule. One swan doesn't make a summer imo.

This season has seen MoPo slowly weed out the non compliant players, and forge a team that has some sort of resemblance to the style he want's, and given all that he has had to do this season, he has performed bloody well to be 7th in the prem. Giving players from our Academy their big shot has more risks attached to it than the potential good. Pritchard is just one example of a player who has played well on loan, but comes with no guarantees of improving the first team in it's current guise, let alone the future. I would love nothing better, than to produce our own talent for the senior squad, but it will always come at the expense of short term ambition. Are Spurs fans really prepared to sacrifice potential CL spots in favour of being extremely self sustaining and promoting players from the Academy? Most of the ones that say yes, would be the ones bemoaning our ambition if it didn't come to fruition!

The £100m that we spent poorly has hit a big chord with us, and rightly so and we now find ourselves in the culture of looking to the future homegrown players. Delle ali is an example of this, and one player I am really excited about, but also one that holds a fear. With the right set-up and scouting, we can purchase players who have experience and qualities that can improve us now and leave us to sprinkle these younger, riskier assets in a more secure way.

Edit: Forgot to add that Townsend is another one of our past Academy players that most people would gladly see the back of, yet had high hopes not so long ago. Not always an exact science.

The bolded is a very important point. Some people here were unhappy with our 69 point haul last season, which we might not even match this year. How do you convince Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen to spend the primes of their careers in a squad that is reliant on players that may develop into Premiership standard starters or may not? It's a bit of a risk. Just look at Aston Villa. Have been relying on younger English players (including from their Academy) with bargain buys mixed in ever since they finished 6th about 5 seasons ago, and now they look almost certain to be relegated. That's not to say we'll drop out of the top of the table, but as you say, it's a bigger step up from the youth ranks to the EPL than it is from one of the top 4 leagues in Europe to the EPL.

With that said, what I think is more likely is that we'll see more cycles of Levy selling a few really great players and recycling that money into newer players from the continent.

 

[millsey]

Don't know what was shown on TV but I liked how some players didn't even stay around to collect their medals.

Obviously it was nice for Kane, Eriksen and Chadli to stick around and applaud the fans but Bentaleb was just straight down the tunnel as soon as the whistle went. Obviously hates losing and will only make him more determined next time

Saw vertonghan and Fazio getting into a car in the car park about 20 mins after the final whistle