SpursSince1980
Well-Known Member
- Jan 23, 2011
- 4,754
- 14,485
I feel a little bit sorry for the one or two folks on SC who can't take a modicum of pleasure in seeing us win a tricky game away to Newcastle. Admittedly, it wasn't scintillating. But that didn't matter. We needed to be organized and clinical. Which we did ok with the former and very well with the latter. Winning without firing on all cylinders is key to success. This team has been flat and dreary for too long. Jose inherited a few problems that needed sorting out. I believe the first step was a focus on defensive organization, and how to cleverly defend a lead. This was never going to be achieved overnight, and nor would the offensive side of our game evolve in parallel. That'll come later, methinks. The most important factor in finishing out this season, is to do so on the back of a winning streak. It creates momentum that can be carried through to the next season.
Lloris - 6 - honestly didn't have a lot to do, I though. made a bit of a mistake with that weird punch out in the first half. but other than that, wasn't really challenged. no keeper would've saved Ritchie's shot. It was otherworldly.
Aurier - 6 - mixed bag for our Serge. proud of him for getting out there and competing during a time of great sadness and distress in his life. he more-or-less played like he always does. made a few boneheaded mistakes. and still can't cross. but stuck to his task pretty well.
Toby - 7 - we really do look far more composed at the back when he plays. that can't be denied. yet again he was super solid and rarely ever gets caught off guard.
Dav - 7- seems a bit more comfortable playing next to Toby, over Dier. he marshalled the backline well through most of the game. didn't have a rush of blood to the head that often seems to happen against lesser teams. was focused all game long.
Davies - 6 - vanilla in every single way. defended well in fits and spurts. not entirely sure why he has a hard time closing down players who are about to cross the ball. nearly cost us on two or three occasions.
Winks -7.5 - it wasn't a special display by any means. but he was energetic, poised and intelligent for the full 90 minutes. stayed on top of things, despite the team getting overrun in midfield continuously in the first half.
Lo Celso -5 - probably one of his worst games for us. looks leggy and unfocused at the moment. was often second to the ball, and what he did try to do offensively rarely came to fruition. seriously seems to need a break.
Sissy - 7 - another player who bought into the game plan and carried it out to near perfection. he's never going to be mistaken for a flair player, but his strengths shouldn't be overlooked either. he lends a very steady hand to our midfield.
Moura - 6.5 - he battled throughout, but would experience a nose bleed any time he got near Newcastle's 18 yard box. if he was able to just slightly improve his first touch and decision making in the final third, he'd be such a dangerous player. Alas...
Sonny -7 - dare i say he might be coming into one of his purple patches? seemed up for it in the first half, and like everyone around him tired significantly in the 2nd. he took his chance very well when it fell to him and seemed a touch more focused defensively.
Kane - 7 - he was a bit of a lump again, seemingly running in treacle. but as is his want in life, he turned up when it mattered and won us the game with two well taken goals. wonder if that might prompt him to break free from his shell he seems to be in?
Stevie B - 6.5 - great cross for kane's header. but was non-existent for the rest of the time he was on.
Lamela - 6.5 - gut bursting run to get us the 3rd. and did his usual mixed bag of feistiness and running like a headless chicken into a cul-de-sac.
Jose - this is all about momentum leading into next season. if we can win our final two games and finish 6th, that'll be a huge boost for everyone.
Lloris - 6 - honestly didn't have a lot to do, I though. made a bit of a mistake with that weird punch out in the first half. but other than that, wasn't really challenged. no keeper would've saved Ritchie's shot. It was otherworldly.
Aurier - 6 - mixed bag for our Serge. proud of him for getting out there and competing during a time of great sadness and distress in his life. he more-or-less played like he always does. made a few boneheaded mistakes. and still can't cross. but stuck to his task pretty well.
Toby - 7 - we really do look far more composed at the back when he plays. that can't be denied. yet again he was super solid and rarely ever gets caught off guard.
Dav - 7- seems a bit more comfortable playing next to Toby, over Dier. he marshalled the backline well through most of the game. didn't have a rush of blood to the head that often seems to happen against lesser teams. was focused all game long.
Davies - 6 - vanilla in every single way. defended well in fits and spurts. not entirely sure why he has a hard time closing down players who are about to cross the ball. nearly cost us on two or three occasions.
Winks -7.5 - it wasn't a special display by any means. but he was energetic, poised and intelligent for the full 90 minutes. stayed on top of things, despite the team getting overrun in midfield continuously in the first half.
Lo Celso -5 - probably one of his worst games for us. looks leggy and unfocused at the moment. was often second to the ball, and what he did try to do offensively rarely came to fruition. seriously seems to need a break.
Sissy - 7 - another player who bought into the game plan and carried it out to near perfection. he's never going to be mistaken for a flair player, but his strengths shouldn't be overlooked either. he lends a very steady hand to our midfield.
Moura - 6.5 - he battled throughout, but would experience a nose bleed any time he got near Newcastle's 18 yard box. if he was able to just slightly improve his first touch and decision making in the final third, he'd be such a dangerous player. Alas...
Sonny -7 - dare i say he might be coming into one of his purple patches? seemed up for it in the first half, and like everyone around him tired significantly in the 2nd. he took his chance very well when it fell to him and seemed a touch more focused defensively.
Kane - 7 - he was a bit of a lump again, seemingly running in treacle. but as is his want in life, he turned up when it mattered and won us the game with two well taken goals. wonder if that might prompt him to break free from his shell he seems to be in?
Stevie B - 6.5 - great cross for kane's header. but was non-existent for the rest of the time he was on.
Lamela - 6.5 - gut bursting run to get us the 3rd. and did his usual mixed bag of feistiness and running like a headless chicken into a cul-de-sac.
Jose - this is all about momentum leading into next season. if we can win our final two games and finish 6th, that'll be a huge boost for everyone.
