Match Threads West Brom vs Spurs - Match Thread

[WiganSpur]

There's always two or three WBA players around Alli so I don't think it's been easy for him.

This is going to be one of those games where if we get one we will get three or four.

 

[cider spurs]

Not watching, have we had any clear cut goalscoring opportunities?

 

[samspurs92]

We've dominated the half with some constructive passing and movement, but Moore has West Brom's defence very well-drilled and they are blocking and clearing everything we throw at them. Alderweireld looks like the Old Toby and was joining the attack for the first 30 minutes.

I wrote before the match that West Brom wouldn't come out and attack us until late in the match and so it has gone. They're just going to keep trying to nick one on the break until they have no option but to come out.

We aren't "playing with a back 5", as someone posted above. Rose and Trippier have played almost entirely as wingers. There's been nothing missing from our display other than a bit of run-of-the-ball. Just keep going. We're playing OK away from home against well-organised and desperate opponents.

There is a distinct lack of urgency from the team at the moment and Trippier’s refusal to get in behind means we’re playing in front of them.

 

[bubble07]

A draw isn't enough for them so as long as we don't concede a cheap goal they will have to come out at some point. Just don't play into their hands with stupid fouls near the box and it should open up for us as the game wears on. Then bring on Son or Lucas.

I just think they would be happy with a point and keep their unbeaten run

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Alli for Lucas. Keep Lamela on to see if he improves. I think we will be more at it second half.

 

[TropicalYid]

As it stands now WBA need 3 p to have a hope of staying up. They must take chances i second half.

 

[morris25]

No idea why we are playing a back 3

 

[SdB]

...also it's very hard hard to drive up the tempo when the other team refuses to play ball. In a literal sense.

Pass the ball quicker with the front players actually moving and making space.
None of it that half. Easy to defend against.

At this rate we will concede a headed goal and then really have to get through a parked bus.

 

[phaser]

Kane, Ali, Lamela and Eriksen anonymous that half.
Baffling that when we are so turgid up front and have 3 at the back that Lucas isn't on given he is the only player with real pace.

Given the overwhelming possession if Alli & Lamela were good enough we would be winning already. We lack too much cutting edge in the final third.

 

[SirNiNyHotspur]

I just think they would be happy with a point and keep their unbeaten run

nobody is going to be happy getting relegated, they are hoping to snatch a 1-0 and will take more risks as the game progresses, they're taking a chance as by being so defensive they are limiting their attacking opportunities but they obviously feel it is their best chance of beating us, which as pissed off as I am and as hard as this is to watch they are probably right, an open game and it would probably be 3-1 to us now

 

[tiger666]

I just think they would be happy with a point and keep their unbeaten run

I don't see why. They'll be relegated. They were never going to attack from the off, it would be suicide. They aren't stupid. They'll play defensive and hope to nick one. At some point they have to abandon that and come out to attack. People need to be patient.

 

[WiganSpur]

Let's be honest, in that half of football we haven't been trying to win the game. Not really. We've just put in the bare minimum of exertion in the hope that a goal will eventually come. That might well be the case, indeed even in that yawnfest of a half we did get a guilt edged chance, but it's a fucking dangerous strategy. I'd like to see us up the urgency.

Pointless really picking out individuals, as it's very much the collective that is playing in second gear, however the likes of Alli need to not drop so deep, be patient, and trust his team mates to find him, and we still need more of Kane, who has minimally improved but still needs to put himself about, offer himself as a focal point, run channels and drag defenders out of position etc etc etc.

I always find myself struggling to define what 'urgency' is though. In a game like this we just have to be patient then strike when a gap opens. Kane pissing away easy chances doesn't help.

Just upping the tempo can often just result in a ton of misplaced passes only to then get done on the counter.

I do agree about the movement though, we do need a bit more of that from Kane, Alli, Lamela etc and the gaps will open up.

 

[Derp]

Better movement and a bit sharper when we get it out wide. Very difficult to go through the middle. I would like to see us get to the byline and cross it backwards into the box. Our crosses are too “samey”, easy to defend.

We are playing pass and move, but we are forgetting the move part...

 

[thfc1973]

Something I've learnt today. Spurs fans moan a lot...

Something I've learnt today. There's a lot of Spurs fans with low expectations...

 

[Monkey boy]

Not watching, have we had any clear cut goalscoring opportunities?

Only one, Kane from 8 yards that hit Fosters head and went wide. Seems like that fucker more often than not plays a blunder against us although that save was as lucky as you can get.

 

[seanwhite1961]

Missed those laser targeted diagonals from Toby to Rose. Normal service resumed. Need Dele further forward to take advantage.

 

[spursbhoy67]

West Brom have got their tactics right so far sit deep, stay compact, try to hit on the break in the channels and rely on set plays. This is a game they are looking to win 1-0.

Eventually they have to open up so as long as we are patient in the second half we will pick them off eventually. Just can’t concede a silly goal from a set play and give them something to defend.

Fascinating tactical battle to be honest.

 

[dickieven]

It has not been as bad as people are making out. We struggle to break down teams that park the bus, this is not new. But we have created a few chances and if we keep going they will tire. Second half we can push on a bit more they will also eventually need to attack especially with swansea losing they may feel a lifeline.

 

[SdB]

Given the overwhelming possession if Alli & Lamela were good enough we would be winning already. We lack too much cutting edge in the final third.

Lamela is hard working but really just doesn't offer enough as a creative player.
I'd never heard of him before we bought him and watched all his youtubes with great expectation. I found them all pretty disappointing and we effectively got what was on the tin.

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

In my opinion the back 3 is working, but our attacking players have all been shite!