Tottenham Vs Newcastle: Match Thread

[CrazyHeart]

We're all trying hard to identify the reasons for yet another poor defeat.

One pertinent reason is summed up by the behaviour of one player. Adebayour is taken off 10 or so mins before the end and goes straight down the tunnel. How dare our so called vice captain does that. Our main captain gives another inept performance and our vice captain shows no team respect or spirit.

Another show of players not giving two shits about the club. I hate that more than anything.

I say again where are the signings made since Poch came? He wasn't backed with the players he wanted and many of those that are here lack passion and heart. Unless we have one of the v few blue chip managers all other choices will meet the same fate whilst Levy rules unfortunately.

No heart and soul. I don't blame Poch for that.

No, but we can blame Poch for almost guaranteeing Adebayor a start, despite the crap performances that lack heart. Also rewarding the guy with Vice Captaincy, which I'm a little confused by is also on Poch's doorstep. Soldado played with much more spirit, heart and passion in the Man City game and influenced our attacking play than Ade in his last four games now. Like I keep asking... what's it going to take?

 

[Darth Vega]

Hire new manager.
Manager asks for players ABC.
Sign players XYZ.
Performances are below par.
Sack manager.
Hire new manager.

This is Spurs in the last few years, with the exception of Redknapp (but even then our transfer policy was total bollocks). I just want our managers to be given a fair shot.

If we give them the team they want and after 3 or so seasons it's still not getting us anywhere then fair enough but we have to give the manager the best possible opportunity to succeed. Haven't with Poch as of yet and certainly didn't with AVB either.

 

[Sweetsman]

Or in you case a g-string

My "subtext" is to suggest trying something different be it a formation or a change of player for a period of games. TT suggested that Ade was the main culprit today which in truth could have been an assessment of any player who's name was not Rose, Mason or Lloris.

As for Redknapp, i'd take those awful CL games and fourth and fifth places finishes over anything i have seen these past two seasons. Perhaps you prefer the horseshit witnessed today.

But whatever rocks your boat i guess.

It wasn't horseshit, any more than the defeat to City was. The problem is the defence and that is the spring of our freeflowing fragility. The bigger issue is the lack of mental toughness and that has been present since the Seventies. The irony is that the same problem exists at Arsenal and Liverpool, which is why they aren't too far ahead of us. And by the way, it was present when Redknapp was here; but he had Messrs King, VDV, Bale and Modrić.

 

[Beni]

Poch needs to be given time, unless we're looking to be relegated, we need to stick with him. Changing the manager every few months isnt going to solve the issue, solving the issue, is buying and selling the right players that will work with the manager.

Someone mentioned it earlier, last 2 seasons 10+ players have been brought in, yet only 4 of them are considered first teamers. What we need is to get rid of all the players that show no fight our passion for the club, that go hiding when things arent goint there way, that walk straight down the tunnel after a defeat instead show appreciation to the guys that support them.

We knew we had issues with our squad from last season, and had every opportunity to make right in the summer. I understand Poch wanted to see how he could develop them and stuff, but it should have been clear from our transfer commitee, Freund and co that player A, B or C weren't upto the grade, and sold, making room for players Poch actually wanted. Again we're talking about another transfer window where we have failed to sign target A that our manager wanted, and ended up signing players that just make an already inflated squad, more inflated as currently not deemed starters.

If we want to salvage anything from this season, January can't come soon enough. Its not about ploughing money at the problem, its about getting rid of the players that don't have the right mentality that fit a) With Pochs Philosophy and b) That doesn't appreciate the core values of our club and what us the fans expect. We need to start identifying key targets to improve our 1st 11 (Not squad), and shifting players that are just happy to pick up their wages every week.

I would rather a Soldado or Kane playing every week, who maybe not score many, but will give us there all every week. In relation to Soldado, we would more than likely see him create more for our midfielders to score, than him score himself. Where as, if Adebayor doesn't sore, we don't sore.

Capoue and Mason have been a good partnership going forward, I do worry that both don't offer our frail defence enough protection. I would say Capoue/Mason with a more defensive player next to them (Stambouli?) would make us more solid.

 

[gibbospurs]

It's quite simple people. We just need to hang one of those bags in the top corner of the goal, they are really good at getting the ball in them

 

[JayDub]

I didn't see the game today but the one thing I was expecting to see following Poch's appointment was pressing. I'm watching the Marseille game, who are managed by Bielsa whose style Poch has apparently adopted, and their pressing is relentless and truly impressive.

 

[Hotspur33]

The trouble is the squad needs a massive overhaul - more personality and character, more experience at the top level, more specialisation etc.

But the last thing we need is the usual massive squad disruption. It's one of the factors that's got us into the shitbox we're in now.

Very difficult situation to get out of this one. We're probably better off generally sticking rather than twisting. Try and grab one or two experienced characters in January, give the players a kick up the arse. Premier League experience would be preferable by far. In the summer, the same, plus a couple of specialised players. Fed up with all these utility guys that can't hold down one position. Get rid of some of the faceless robots and spineless cheque-cashers.

Don't believe any of those things will happen for one minute.

I agree with this. Whilst having a squad is important to compete on all levels, if there are players that aren't getting used then we need to get rid.

We have a bloated squad, and not enough stand out players.

Today was yet another kick in the teeth. One that is all too familiar. I have to say the post match interview that Poch gave to the BBC, was disappointing. He didn't seem all too worried by the performance. He seemed more angry after the game on Thursday?

 

[Jonesey]

The thing is it did look like we were making some progress with Arsenal, Southampton and even the Man City game. Only baby steps granted but even so.
Today we went backwards.
Still think playing one striker, at home, against a team that leak goals is plain fucking stupid.

Absolutely. But The problem is we have a very average team and bad investments in key areas are a big part of why.

I stayed up to watch it (it was on at 12.30am here in Aus) but fell asleep after 20mins - thank god. We were passing the ball around looking very pleased with ourselves (aside from several wayward passes and crosses from the awful awful Kaboul) but even then you could tell it was all posturing. No end product.

Pochettino not picking the best of the bunch isn't helping either. He still doesn't seem to know his best starting eleven - and the fact that he thinks Kaboul should be in it at all let alone week after week is worrying in itself.

I'm glad we lost in a way because the closer we get to the bottom 3 the more it reflects the actual ability of our playing staff relative to the other teams around us who have strengthened so much better than we did - Southampton primarily.

And maybe this will see the end of Levy finally. I know he has done a lot for the financial stability for the club but his transfer dealings have largely been a disaster despite having two golden opportunities to build an awesome team for years to come:

1. Our Champions League season
2. The Bale money

But whatever I say and whether any of you agree or not, based on our performances this season so far - and if we can't beat this Newcastle side at home - there's trouble ahead for sure.

 

[Phil-spur99]

Director of football?
Soldado sub
Lamela jury out
Eriksen Where has the end of last seasons form gone?
Capoue ok
Chiriches not featuring
Chadli ok
Paulinho not featuring
Vorm don't know
Davies sub
Stanbouli not featuring
Dier playing, out of position
Fazio sub
So out of the 12 how many have paid off so far? And how many were Managers picks and not just DOF's?

I tend to agree. We have spent a lot of money but bought players inferior to those sold and /or have not improved the overall quality of the team. It might be too early to judge but I just don't understand why we buy Fazio, Stambouli, Vlad, Davies if they are not better than we have already and improve the first team. Most of our signings of late have simply been squad players.

I would also be tempted to stop rotating the team for mid week games, especially if we are at home. We need to get some consistency and put a run of form together. I especially don't like changing the back 4 and holding midfielder so often. We need to get a settled organised unit.

 

[bern]

Ah say trouble up mill i tell thee.

 

[HW61]

No, but we can blame Poch for almost guaranteeing Adebayor a start, despite the crap performances that lack heart. Also rewarding the guy with Vice Captaincy, which I'm a little confused by is also on Poch's doorstep. Soldado played with much more spirit, heart and passion in the Man City game and influenced our attacking play than Ade in his last four games now. Like I keep asking... what's it going to take?

I do recognise that. But surely Poch hoped by elevating his status to vice captain that it would spark some improved attitude and benefit the team. Ade has really let Poch down. He's a nightmare to manage. It wasn't Poch's fault that he was lumbered with this self centred twat. He's trying to make it work and it's failing him as Ade did every manager before. He will be dropped in time I'm sure. I certainly favour giving Kane a run of games.

I find it more confusing and frustrating that Levy purchased even more average players that do not fit the Poch philosophy.

 

[Sweetsman]

Supporting Spurs is like falling in love with a really classy chick and then finding out that she's flaky as hell, but you love her nevertheless.

 

[trasores]

since poch has been our manager i have only seen us play the pressing style against a poor QPR side.

are the players not following instructions?

 

[millsey]

The thing is it did look like we were making some progress with Arsenal, Southampton and even the Man City game. Only baby steps granted but even so.
Today we went backwards.
Still think playing one striker, at home, against a team that leak goals is plain fucking stupid.

And I wouldn't even call it one striker with Adebayor

 

[only1waddle]

since poch has been our manager i have only seen us play the pressing style against a poor QPR side.

are the players not following instructions?

I think we see pressing in patches but it's fairly haphazard at times, it does take a leap of faith to do it together like Dortmund but I think your right, our players just can't sustain the pressing.

 

[millsey]

Poch needs to be given time, unless we're looking to be relegated, we need to stick with him. Changing the manager every few months isnt going to solve the issue, solving the issue, is buying and selling the right players that will work with the manager.

Someone mentioned it earlier, last 2 seasons 10+ players have been brought in, yet only 4 of them are considered first teamers. What we need is to get rid of all the players that show no fight our passion for the club, that go hiding when things arent goint there way, that walk straight down the tunnel after a defeat instead show appreciation to the guys that support them.

We knew we had issues with our squad from last season, and had every opportunity to make right in the summer. I understand Poch wanted to see how he could develop them and stuff, but it should have been clear from our transfer commitee, Freund and co that player A, B or C weren't upto the grade, and sold, making room for players Poch actually wanted. Again we're talking about another transfer window where we have failed to sign target A that our manager wanted, and ended up signing players that just make an already inflated squad, more inflated as currently not deemed starters.

If we want to salvage anything from this season, January can't come soon enough. Its not about ploughing money at the problem, its about getting rid of the players that don't have the right mentality that fit a) With Pochs Philosophy and b) That doesn't appreciate the core values of our club and what us the fans expect. We need to start identifying key targets to improve our 1st 11 (Not squad), and shifting players that are just happy to pick up their wages every week.

I would rather a Soldado or Kane playing every week, who maybe not score many, but will give us there all every week. In relation to Soldado, we would more than likely see him create more for our midfielders to score, than him score himself. Where as, if Adebayor doesn't sore, we don't sore.

Capoue and Mason have been a good partnership going forward, I do worry that both don't offer our frail defence enough protection. I would say Capoue/Mason with a more defensive player next to them (Stambouli?) would make us more solid.

totaly agree we need to get the bad attitudes out if are club.
For me that included vertonghan and Adebayor

 

[millsey]

I can see us losing this, we have conceded so many chances in our last couple of games.
City punished us, the team on Thursday didn't but Newcastle could.

Mystic meg

 

[spursbhoy67]

Some random thoughts:

This was one of those losses that were down there with many of our worst results in the last 40 years. I am not upset we lost, I am upset at the manner in which we lost.

The coaches I speak to in the league say they (and other teams) target our full backs and our lack of leadership (no organiser, no captain type). When players are playing out of position they do things that natural full backs don't do. They get exposed and exploited. Yes, Rose has improved by playing there, but Dier on the kick off today was schoolboy defending. Newcastle targeted him and both goals came from his side. Other teams have done it this season. Yes, we beat QPR, West Ham and Southampton, but on another day should have lost two and QPR still had chances against our back four. See the chances for Asteras the other night and Kaboul's high defending last weekend for other examples.

I have seen every recent manager work and their ideas for the most part have been good. I knew the players AVB would show the door to based on his demands, but starting to question others now too. Becoming frustrated as a fan because we are back to where we were about 8-10 years ago when we were really mentally fragile as teams fancied getting a result against us.

I won't be critical of DL for how far the club has come under his leadership although my patience will be tested if the stadium is another six seasons from completion. I supported most of his managerial changes, so have no issue with MP right now. I am however starting to question our DOF and scouting network. We have no leaders on the field, no players who deal with adversity and no players prepared to run through a brick wall for the team. We have decent players with potential, but a lot of them are missing when the going gets tough. Where is this team's King, Roberts, Perryman, Parker? Who is our Terry, Carragher, Neville, Adams who were schooled in their club's tradition and whose star studded teammates feared? We don't have one. Why not? What in the backgrounds of the players are the scouting staff missing?

On a related note, I know AVB asked for three players and none of them were signed. Where would his regin have been had he got his signings? From a trusted source I know two players at the current manager's former club who agreed to join us. Neither were signed. Why appoint a manager and not let him develop the team as he sees fit?

Lastly, this team is missing winners with a winning mentality. To be a winner one needs to win things. Only Lennon of our current group has won a trophy for Spurs. We need to get this team in the habit of winning trophies, so a League Cup and a Europa Cup is not beneath us. If not, we will remain a stepping stone for players and a club constantly in transition.

 

[diamondlight]

Bring Sherwood back. He wouldn't have tolerated that crap, and he would have said so in public as well as to the players. A few fans trying to look sophisticated would have moaned about his 'media' shortcomings, but the dressing room would have found out what playing for Spurs really means.

 

[Borks]

Absoutely embarrassing from some people. Ade scored because "it was put on his head" but I guarantee if it was Soldado he would've done well to be in the right place.