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Match Threads West Ham vs Spurs - Match Thread

UbeAstard

Well-Known Member
May 31, 2005
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There was a 5-6 minute stretch where we passed the ball in the midfield and didn't even attempt to drive forward and get a second goal. The team seemed content holding on to the 1-0 lead for whatever reason and that infuriated me.

Its controlling the play and trying to draw them out, rather than dribble into packed areas and lose the ball.
 

sebo_sek

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2005
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We *could* have lost, but I definitely don't agree that we *should* have. We had enough clear chances to finish them off before they rallied. Sanchez had two massive chances that unfortunately fell to him instead of someone who knows how to score goals.
Maybe you're right.
There is one thought that nagged me for most of the game. Perhaps a bid for Arnautovic in January might be a good idea. The guy is a right handful and knows how to operate in and around the box. Definitely more so than Llorente ATM. He also has bags of passion. Just a thought.
Just a thought.
 

UbeAstard

Well-Known Member
May 31, 2005
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For me its absolutely criminal to play a twice succesive golden boot winner deeper just so he can thread balls through to players with pace. Fkin daft. Everybody knows the hardest thing to do in football is score. Thats why strikers command such big transfer fees. But we have a fkin goal machine floating between midfield and the edge of the goal area setting up others. Same with England.
It makes no sense and yet here we are with one of the best goal scorers in the world... playing in'a deeper role'.
Madness.

And yet England took a commanding lead doing that, can't understand your argument seeing how that worked. Having him service fast wide players when good defenders are attracted to him works/can work.
The priority is winning the game, not the golden boot.
 
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ajspurs

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Jul 7, 2007
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Reo Coker was co-commentating on radio 5 this afternoon and in his summing up he described it as a professional performance by Spurs, when West Ham got up a head of steam the Spurs midfield took control of the ball and controlled the pace of the game, Spurs didn't go gung ho for another goal but made sure of the win.
Now I didn't see the game nor hear more than ten minutes of it but that sounds like quite a good write up to me.

I credit us for seeing it through but I don't think it was as calculated as Reo Coker may have put it. I think we were uncomfortably up against it throughout times in that second half, it wasn't like a controlled defensive display display like seen as against Real Madrid away last season. We didn't really have general control of the game in the 2nd half. In fact, it was kind of similar to the Watford away game, the pressure wasn't quite as intense as it was from Watford after we'd gone 1-0 up that day but the pattern of the game was similar.

Could have gone wrong, as it did against Watford, luckily we saw this out. Still don't like to see us concede play like that though, I think like today and in the Watford game, I think we have to think about making changes to continue to give them things to worry about too.
 

spursfan77

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Aug 13, 2005
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I thought Lucas was top draw today. Ran for miles with the ball both to attack and relive pressure. Got a few kicks as well. He reminded me of Aaron Lennon at his best with his dribbling.
 

ajspurs

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Jul 7, 2007
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I thought Lucas was top draw today. Ran for miles with the ball both to attack and relive pressure. Got a few kicks as well. He reminded me of Aaron Lennon at his best with his dribbling.

There was one long run that he made from our half deep into there's and in which he was absolutely blistering, have honestly seen very few players move so fast with the ball like that. Could be so lethal if he could add to his end product a bit.
 

KILLA_SIN

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2008
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Lots of perspective needed and this isn't particularly aimed at you. But Kane played two internationals in four days last week, running his heart out, Lucas was in Saudi Arabia and with both All and Eriksen being injured you can see why our fluidity is 'off' at the moment.

This performance was always going to be on how we ground it out and how solid we remained rather than the flashy stuff. The flashy stuff will come later on, I'm sure of it.
All sounds rather reasonable, sure you should be in here ?
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
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I credit us for seeing it through but I don't think it was as calculated as Reo Coker may have put it. I think we were uncomfortably up against it throughout times in that second half, it wasn't like a controlled defensive display display like seen as against Real Madrid away last season. We didn't really have general control of the game in the 2nd half. In fact, it was kind of similar to the Watford away game, the pressure wasn't quite as intense as it was from Watford after we'd gone 1-0 up that day but the pattern of the game was similar.

Could have gone wrong, as it did against Watford, luckily we saw this out. Still don't like to see us concede play like that though, I think like today and in the Watford game, I think we have to think about making changes to continue to give them things to worry about too.
Our options are a bit limited with injuries when it comes to giving them something to think about.
 

teok

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Aug 11, 2011
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There was one long run that he made from our half deep into there's and in which he was absolutely blistering, have honestly seen very few players move so fast with the ball like that. Could be so lethal if he could add to his end product a bit.

His ability to run with the ball is incredible it's like watching a fifa video game character. He has such good balance he just shift his weight and change direction, fantastic.
 

ajspurs

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Jul 7, 2007
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Our options are a bit limited with injuries when it comes to giving them something to think about.

Well Dele is the only attacking player who's currently out of the picture, but regardless for me the obvious one was Son. Could have really helped with potential counter attacks and he's a player who could run in behind or chase long balls down, as for a lot of the second half we were clearing the ball from the back.
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
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Most encouraging performance of the season for me, felt like a transitional game as we begin to step up to our higher standard. LLoris was superb, Winks was great and he's improving so much each game, Dier was solid was his best game of the season. Sissoko; Whilst I don't rate him as a footballer you can't deny how effective he has been in last couple of games, Poch is getting the most out of his limited skillset and fair play to Moussa for playing well. Thought Lamela was motm and his hold up play was excellent, Dribbling was superb and Moura great dribbling also.

Lot's of encouraging performances and a good start to a tough run.
Agreed. I wasn't getting too flustered and frustrated with how we were playing. I think there was an element of control there and I think we managed the final stages well. The bombardment was always going to come, we were playing a team who hate us with a narrow lead, what do people expect? We dealt with their crosses superbly and our defensive positioning was so much better today. I think Sissoko offers us much better defensive cover too as he is very disciplined and able to get back into position quickly. I don't think people consider that when they start complaining about his inclusion.
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
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29,661
Was that Lamela's first league start this season?

Bit ridiculous.

As much as we don't like it, I think Poch is doing a good job managing Lamela's fitness and workload. It's clear that Poch is depending on Lamela's on the field contributions and wants to ensure he's available throughout the entire season.
 

Sweetsman

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Jan 30, 2011
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He did. My stand out performers were Lamela, Winks and possibly Trippier apart from the last 10 minutes.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...o-a8593871.html?amp&__twitter_impression=true
JPB tweeted that Pochettino damned Sissoko with faint praise, but I disagree. Pochettino was glad that fans are starting to appreciate what he can bring rather than grate at what he can't. Sissoko looks very awkward on the ball, but he has very good positional discipline. Football is a game of possession of space and in that respect he is important as a squad player.
 

Sevens

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Apr 23, 2014
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Its controlling the play and trying to draw them out, rather than dribble into packed areas and lose the ball.

The third option is crisper, faster and forward passing combined with good movement. Our play is often too static, too many players waiting for the ball to be played to their feet so they can instantly pass it back the way it came.
 

Sweetsman

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2011
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Maybe you're right.
There is one thought that nagged me for most of the game. Perhaps a bid for Arnautovic in January might be a good idea. The guy is a right handful and knows how to operate in and around the box. Definitely more so than Llorente ATM. He also has bags of passion. Just a thought.
Just a thought.
He's a good player, but may upset the dynamic in the squad, something Poch places great store by. I'd like that young defensive midfielder of theirs. He oozed class.
 

sebo_sek

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2005
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He's a good player, but may upset the dynamic in the squad, something Poch places great store by. I'd like that young defensive midfielder of theirs. He oozed class.
Diop? Isn't he their CB? Definitely need to watch him as a possible Toby replacement
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
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Diop? Isn't he their CB? Definitely need to watch him as a possible Toby replacement

I think he's talking about Declan Rice, who've been watching according to some sites. He'll have 6 months left on his contract come January and I could see us taking him off Wham.
 
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