Tottenham vs West Brom: Match Thread

[shelfboy68]

Ain't that the truth. We are simply not equipped to handle things when either Kane, Eriksen or Alli go through the inevitable dip in form or pick up an injury. At least Poch tried to shake things up a bit when he brought on Llorente... but the crossing from wide was extremely poor, and when he did get a great chance late on he chose to pass rather than shoot. I expected so much more from a player with his experience, but he looks completely shot in terms of confidence.

When we got I him I thought it looked a good buy now I think what a fucking waste of time getting him in, always seems one step forward and three backwards with us.

 

[stevenurse]

Whilst not playing at his ridiculously high standards for his age, you have to remember he's created our last 3 goals. He's inconsistent at the moment but dropping him isn't the solution. He'll play his way into better form.

Purely from a statistical point of view with regards to output of goals/assists he's doing his bit. I agree he is often sloppy and can be frustrating at times but if the alternative is Sissoko then I know what I'd prefer.

He's still only 21 and will have ups and downs. We are lucky to have him and unfortunately if/when he goes will be the only time some people see that.

My only issue with him is that he's seemingly believing thr hype. He's so marketable that he's in everything now. This whole 'super agent' thing isn't going to end well for us either.

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

Playing him deeper for the time being could be a solution. Would maybe give eriksen more freedom, allowing Sonny to come in. Him alongside winks in the mid could work nicely.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Playing him deeper for the time being could be a solution. Would maybe give eriksen more freedom, allowing Sonny to come in. Him alongside winks in the mid could work nicely.

I actually think this is the problem - he has been playing a little deeper. He was better, and less prone to costly give-aways, when he was playing higher up the pitch - off Kane.

Without Alderweireld and Wanyama, we have changed formations to allow for Dier to move into the back 3, while leaving the DM role somewhat empty (in terms of a true DM) - which means that the CMs/AMs are all playing a bit deeper to compensate. Dele and Eriksen are coming deeper to get the ball - and right now, that does not suit Dele's game - which is created higher up the pitch with off-the-ball movement, and ghosting into scoring positions.

 

[fletch82]

Alli needs to be dropped so he can get his head out the clouds, unfortunate he is believing in all the hype surrounding him, ive not seen him have a decent 90 mins for us in ages, seems to go missing for long periods

The problem as I see it is he is off his game by 20/30%
Normally that would not be to big an issue But with Christian being off too and kane not looking 100% we are just utterly toothless in attack at present
Hopefully one if them will pick up the pace rather sharpish which will jump start the other 2 as well.

I do agree we need a trickster to open teams up desperately or a visionary like silva/Modric to play that quick killer pass I'm not sure to be honest if that's Barkley or zaha or the Dortmund lad but we most definitely need that type if we are going to push on and actually win titles.

Just my 2 bobs worth.

 

[archiewasking]

Is this team going to be the Jimmy White of the PL? The best nearly men?

 

[Shadydan]

Just watched the match properly this morning and I've made a couple of observations, we're in a bit of a rut right now, the problem is that our front 3 is not clicking for these reasons...

Kane is injured and clearly only playing at 60-70%
Eriksen is tired and needs a rest
Dell Alli is off form and need to keep playing to play himself back into from as we saw last year.

And since the responsibility to score and create goals normally falls down to these three it's not surprising that we look pretty toothless and lack ideas at the moment.

Furthermore we need to get Lamela back on the pitch and fit ASAP, we need to do whatever it takes because he could provide an extra spark and impetus we're currently lacking.

We need to get Rose and Aurier on the pitch together, especially against bus-parkers, we need them to stretch the opposition and drive at them, we need their physicality and burst of acceleration to open up spaces for our attacking players otherwise you'll left with Davies and Trippier who are both good players but they are entirely predictable when they attack (just watch how many times they cut back in rather than get to the byline)

The injury to Wanyama and the niggling injuries to Dembele has really fucked us, we've lost a lot physicality in midfield and with Wanyama we've lost the ability to win the ball back and and shut down the opposition, it's no surprise that our pressing game has diminished because what would normally happen is that our forwards would press the defenders knowing that if they beat the first line of the press then one of these two would win the ball back off the midfielders, we've actually been really unlucky with injuries to key players in the past year or so.

I think the team is mentally fatigued right now, we had a tough Champions League campaign and a touch month, we could do with a break and some easier matches which we will get, however I don't think it's all doom or gloom, we can beat Leicester as I think they'll give us the space to play in but I just hope that we don't see Kane or Eriksen for the Apoel match next week, we need to get these guys wrapped in cotton wool.

 

[spursfan77]

Just watched the match properly this morning and I've made a couple of observations, we're in a bit of a rut right now, the problem is that our front 3 is not clicking for these reasons...

Kane is injured and clearly only playing at 60-70%
Eriksen is tired and needs a rest
Dell Alli is off form and need to keep playing to play himself back into from as we saw last year.

And since the responsibility to score and create goals normally falls down to these three it's not surprising that we look pretty toothless and lack ideas at the moment.

Furthermore we need to get Lamela back on the pitch and fit ASAP, we need to do whatever it takes because he could provide an extra spark and impetus we're currently lacking.

We need to get Rose and Aurier on the pitch together, especially against bus-parkers, we need them to stretch the opposition and drive at them, we need their physicality and burst of acceleration to open up spaces for our attacking players otherwise you'll left with Davies and Trippier who are both good players but they are entirely predictable when they attack (just watch how many times they cut back in rather than get to the byline)

The injury to Wanyama and the niggling injuries to Dembele has really fucked us, we've lost a lot physicality in midfield and with Wanyama we've lost the ability to win the ball back and and shut down the opposition, it's no surprise that our pressing game has diminished because what would normally happen is that our forwards would press the defenders knowing that if they beat the first line of the press then one of these two would win the ball back off the midfielders, we've actually been really unlucky with injuries to key players in the past year or so.

I think the team is mentally fatigued right now, we had a tough Champions League campaign and a touch month, we could do with a break and some easier matches which we will get, however I don't think it's all doom or gloom, we can beat Leicester as I think they'll give us the space to play in but I just hope that we don't see Kane or Eriksen for the Apoel match next week, we need to get these guys wrapped in cotton wool.

Yeah that’s exactly how I see it. Thanks for saving me typing that all out!

 

[shelfboy68]

Just watched the match properly this morning and I've made a couple of observations, we're in a bit of a rut right now, the problem is that our front 3 is not clicking for these reasons...

Kane is injured and clearly only playing at 60-70%
Eriksen is tired and needs a rest
Dell Alli is off form and need to keep playing to play himself back into from as we saw last year.

And since the responsibility to score and create goals normally falls down to these three it's not surprising that we look pretty toothless and lack ideas at the moment.

Furthermore we need to get Lamela back on the pitch and fit ASAP, we need to do whatever it takes because he could provide an extra spark and impetus we're currently lacking.

We need to get Rose and Aurier on the pitch together, especially against bus-parkers, we need them to stretch the opposition and drive at them, we need their physicality and burst of acceleration to open up spaces for our attacking players otherwise you'll left with Davies and Trippier who are both good players but they are entirely predictable when they attack (just watch how many times they cut back in rather than get to the byline)

The injury to Wanyama and the niggling injuries to Dembele has really fucked us, we've lost a lot physicality in midfield and with Wanyama we've lost the ability to win the ball back and and shut down the opposition, it's no surprise that our pressing game has diminished because what would normally happen is that our forwards would press the defenders knowing that if they beat the first line of the press then one of these two would win the ball back off the midfielders, we've actually been really unlucky with injuries to key players in the past year or so.

I think the team is mentally fatigued right now, we had a tough Champions League campaign and a touch month, we could do with a break and some easier matches which we will get, however I don't think it's all doom or gloom, we can beat Leicester as I think they'll give us the space to play in but I just hope that we don't see Kane or Eriksen for the Apoel match next week, we need to get these guys wrapped in cotton wool.

Not disagreeing but that is why it's imepertive that we add quality additions to increase the squad depth, which will then allow for loss of form and or keeping people fresh it would save us flogging everyone to death.

 

[lukespurs7]

Is this team going to be the Jimmy White of the PL? The best nearly men?

Tim Henman of the PL.

 

[lukespurs7]

Just watched the match properly this morning and I've made a couple of observations, we're in a bit of a rut right now, the problem is that our front 3 is not clicking for these reasons...

Kane is injured and clearly only playing at 60-70%
Eriksen is tired and needs a rest
Dell Alli is off form and need to keep playing to play himself back into from as we saw last year.

And since the responsibility to score and create goals normally falls down to these three it's not surprising that we look pretty toothless and lack ideas at the moment.

Furthermore we need to get Lamela back on the pitch and fit ASAP, we need to do whatever it takes because he could provide an extra spark and impetus we're currently lacking.

We need to get Rose and Aurier on the pitch together, especially against bus-parkers, we need them to stretch the opposition and drive at them, we need their physicality and burst of acceleration to open up spaces for our attacking players otherwise you'll left with Davies and Trippier who are both good players but they are entirely predictable when they attack (just watch how many times they cut back in rather than get to the byline)

The injury to Wanyama and the niggling injuries to Dembele has really fucked us, we've lost a lot physicality in midfield and with Wanyama we've lost the ability to win the ball back and and shut down the opposition, it's no surprise that our pressing game has diminished because what would normally happen is that our forwards would press the defenders knowing that if they beat the first line of the press then one of these two would win the ball back off the midfielders, we've actually been really unlucky with injuries to key players in the past year or so.

I think the team is mentally fatigued right now, we had a tough Champions League campaign and a touch month, we could do with a break and some easier matches which we will get, however I don't think it's all doom or gloom, we can beat Leicester as I think they'll give us the space to play in but I just hope that we don't see Kane or Eriksen for the Apoel match next week, we need to get these guys wrapped in cotton wool.

This.

 

[SpursDave88]

Just watched the match properly this morning and I've made a couple of observations, we're in a bit of a rut right now, the problem is that our front 3 is not clicking for these reasons...

Kane is injured and clearly only playing at 60-70%
Eriksen is tired and needs a rest
Dell Alli is off form and need to keep playing to play himself back into from as we saw last year.

And since the responsibility to score and create goals normally falls down to these three it's not surprising that we look pretty toothless and lack ideas at the moment.

Furthermore we need to get Lamela back on the pitch and fit ASAP, we need to do whatever it takes because he could provide an extra spark and impetus we're currently lacking.

We need to get Rose and Aurier on the pitch together, especially against bus-parkers, we need them to stretch the opposition and drive at them, we need their physicality and burst of acceleration to open up spaces for our attacking players otherwise you'll left with Davies and Trippier who are both good players but they are entirely predictable when they attack (just watch how many times they cut back in rather than get to the byline)

The injury to Wanyama and the niggling injuries to Dembele has really fucked us, we've lost a lot physicality in midfield and with Wanyama we've lost the ability to win the ball back and and shut down the opposition, it's no surprise that our pressing game has diminished because what would normally happen is that our forwards would press the defenders knowing that if they beat the first line of the press then one of these two would win the ball back off the midfielders, we've actually been really unlucky with injuries to key players in the past year or so.

I think the team is mentally fatigued right now, we had a tough Champions League campaign and a touch month, we could do with a break and some easier matches which we will get, however I don't think it's all doom or gloom, we can beat Leicester as I think they'll give us the space to play in but I just hope that we don't see Kane or Eriksen for the Apoel match next week, we need to get these guys wrapped in cotton wool.

I think the point on the fullbacks is actually the biggest thing. Rose and Walker stretched teams. There was quite an amusing moment were Davies tries to use a burst of pace to go round the outside and the defender (Nyom I think) beat him to the ball easily. Teams that defend deep want you to pump aimless crosses into the box and that is exactly what we do with Davies and Trippier. I'm not saying they are bad players - but they are big downgrades on Walker and Rose and without the latter two we have almost no pace in the side to get behind teams.

 

[hughy]

Tim Henman of the PL.

Tim Henman of the FA Cup.


So many semi-finals...

 

[Shadydan]

Not disagreeing but that is why it's imepertive that we add quality additions to increase the squad depth, which will then allow for loss of form and or keeping people fresh it would save us flogging everyone to death.

The problem is further enhanced when your quality addition (Lamela) isn't fit, Son we know can and will do a job and Llorente isn't up to speed yet but I suspect he will be in a few months time.

If City's front 3 are off form (Jesus, Sane, David Silva) they can still bring in Aguero, Bernardo Silva and Gudongan, we haven't even mentioned Toure yet who is earning £225k a week and is happy to play a bit part role for Man City, it's ridiculous! For the time being we will never be at the level where we can bring those types of options off the bench or replace the players who are starters. That's what we're up against so no-one should be surprised at that really, City are arguably the best club side in Europe at the moment with a world class coach and oil money, if anyone thinks that we can compete with that then they need to think again.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

We never do well against West Brom.

Thought we won 4-0 last season with a Kane hat-trick?

 

[archiewasking]

Tim Henman of the PL.

At least Henman got a semi.

 

[shelfboy68]

The problem is further enhanced when your quality addition (Lamela) isn't fit, Son we know can and will do a job and Llorente isn't up to speed yet but I suspect he will be in a few months time.

If City's front 3 are off form (Jesus, Sane, David Silva) they can still bring in Aguero, Bernardo Silva and Gudongan, we haven't even mentioned Toure yet who is earning £225k a week and is happy to play a bit part role for Man City, it's ridiculous! For the time being we will never be at the level where we can bring those types of options off the bench or replace the players who are starters. That's what we're up against so no-one should be surprised at that really, City are arguably the best club side in Europe at the moment with a world class coach and oil money, if anyone thinks that we can compete with that then they need to think again.

So why do some still think we are in a title race

 

[Shadydan]

So why do some still think we are in a title race

Who actually thinks that?

 

[shelfboy68]

Who actually thinks that?

You must have seen some who I won't name have said previously that it was on for us this year, you were quick enough to point out when I am on here so you must have seen those poster's

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Playing him deeper for the time being could be a solution. Would maybe give eriksen more freedom, allowing Sonny to come in. Him alongside winks in the mid could work nicely.

Not as a cm2 though.