Match Threads Spurs vs Ipswich - Match Thread - Pre-season Friendly

[nedley]

There's definitely something about Clarke.

 

[hughy]

Who played that lovely little reverse pass through the middle late on, was that White? That was sexy. Relatively simple but effective. Not enough of our players look for that kind of pass.

 

[C0YS]

That is the whole point. Playing conservative against a League One side.

But sure he's the eNgLiSh XaVi.

To play a conservative role doesn't mean to play conservatively as a team. This was a very offensive set up, but essentially playing a double pivot allows for more players to go forward. The balance is the key thing here. The set up today was the most offensive set up I've ever seen Jose do. If you looked just how high up a large number of players were it's something I havent seen Jose do, So instead of having, say Gedson, worry about tracking back, you give that responsibility to the midfield, allowing Sess and Gedson to play basically on the touchline. They dont play there by the way, because it's good for them on the ball, it's really not it, it actually makes them more irrelevant if anything, you play them there because it stretches the play and opens up space in the middle, where our three most effective players were. By giving them more space to be offensively effective.

This speculative, but I assume that we set up in a way to explore how to solve our difficulties in our attacking play, and as possible option into how to attack weaker teams, and there were positives. However, by stretching the field so much, you create an added risk defensively, a wide pitch means you have to cover a lot more space defensively, one of the reasons for the double pivot. Similarly Davies and Foyth were given option to take the space and move forward too, the double pivot allows them to do that, and reduces the fear of being done on the counter.

Even so, your criticism seems aimed at Jose, not Winks, who today wasn't given a role in any shape or form resembling that of Xavi. While he started as a number 8 he has played deeper now for almost two seasons and is not an offensive player. Now rumours are that Winks future will be as a number 8, but that is not the role he was given today. Will he start in that position? It's hard because it is arguebly Lo Celso and N'dombele's best position.

For what it's worth, we have so many games that Winks is very likely to play as a holding midfielder for a awful lot of games early in the season, because of the crazy fixture list. Regardless of where his future lies. There is valid criticism of winks, and he wasn't anything special today, but nor did he need to be, but him not playing offensively when not being made to be offensive is not one of them. It's just deeply unfair and flawed criticism. It's like complaining that the electrician didn't sort out the boiler.

 

[Cochise]

Harvey White, local lad, go on fella!

He's from Maidstone way isn't he?

 

[yankspurs]

Also, Alfie Devine looks a much bigger prospect than I initially thought. Thought he was just an opportunistic buy to supplement the academy. Was very impressive when he got on. Didn’t look out of place one bit.

Yep. Good showing today. Keeps that up in pre season, he could have a chance to play a role in the fixture mess we have to start of the season.

 

[pedrodelawasp]

From the little there is in the highlights just put up on YT, it seems Gedson was okay (I like Sonny having his arm around him as they came out for the first half, as though he’d been giving him a bit of a pep talk). Bowden looks comfortable along side first team players (maybe see him get some time in the early stages of the league cup?).

 

[JacoZA]

The youngsters took a while to get going in that second half, but towards the end there was some really good build-up play. I imagine there were some nerves, but the last 20 minutes or so it reminded me (and you'll excuse me, cause we've only just had our alcohol ban stopped here in SA, so I'd been on the beers) a little bit of Poch's 1st season - young guys playing with energy, trying things and showing confidence beyond their years. Cirkin particularly impressed me. Long may it continue.

Sidenote: the live streaming via the site is great and it was nice to be able to watch the game in full, but the GBP/ZAR exchange rate hurts more than watching Sherwood's punditry.

 

[gavspur]

He's from Maidstone way isn't he?

In between Medway and Maidstone.

 

[KikoSpurs]

To play a conservative role doesn't mean to play conservatively as a team. This was a very offensive set up, but essentially playing a double pivot allows for more players to go forward. The balance is the key thing here. The set up today was the most offensive set up I've ever seen Jose do. If you looked just how high up a large number of players were it's something I havent seen Jose do, So instead of having, say Gedson, worry about tracking back, you give that responsibility to the midfield, allowing Sess and Gedson to play basically on the touchline. They dont play there by the way, because it's good for them on the ball, it's really not it, it actually makes them more irrelevant if anything, you play them there because it stretches the play and opens up space in the middle, where our three most effective players were. By giving them more space to be offensively effective.

This speculative, but I assume that we set up in a way to explore how to solve our difficulties in our attacking play, and as possible option into how to attack weaker teams, and there were positives. However, by stretching the field so much, you create an added risk defensively, a wide pitch means you have to cover a lot more space defensively, one of the reasons for the double pivot. Similarly Davies and Foyth were given option to take the space and move forward too, the double pivot allows them to do that, and reduces the fear of being done on the counter.

Even so, your criticism seems aimed at Jose, not Winks, who today wasn't given a role in any shape or form resembling that of Xavi. While he started as a number 8 he has played deeper now for almost two seasons and is not an offensive player. Now rumours are that Winks future will be as a number 8, but that is not the role he was given today. Will he start in that position? It's hard because it is arguebly Lo Celso and N'dombele's best position.

For what it's worth, we have so many games that Winks is very likely to play as a holding midfielder for a awful lot of games early in the season, because of the crazy fixture list. Regardless of where his future lies. There is valid criticism of winks, and he wasn't anything special today, but nor did he need to be, but him not playing offensively when not being made to be offensive is not one of them. It's just deeply unfair and flawed criticism. It's like complaining that the electrician didn't sort out the boiler.

I think you are not understand what I mean by conservative. Playing a conservative role doesn't mean you have to be conservative.

Example:

- Few times Alderweireld and Foyth/CCV had to pass to each other because Winks was too scared to show up during the build-up phase. Sometimes he was at the shadow of an Ipswich's attacker.

- Playing backward pass when he can clearly play the ball forward to someone. He did this a couple time and that gave time to Ipswich organise themselves.

 

[arunspurs]

Watched the full game.

It was quite difficult to say what was the formation we played with in first half. We seemed to alter between 3-5-2 and 4-4-2.
Opponent was a midtable league 1 team - so we got to keep the perspective.

Of the players of interest - I thought only Gedson outplayed the opponent. As a RB, played whole 90, covered lot of ground. Next 3 championship opponents should say a lot on where his level is as a RB. He could potentially be a no2 RB for us, if he comes out of those 3 games well.

Sessegnon - The lad is a natural footballer and has knack of getting into positions and scoring. BUT, for all his talent, he hardly gets involved in build up play. In a way, he is like Dele - he makes runs off the ball to get into positions. On the ball, he is ok at best. IMO, he could play the Dele role in XI, if coached properly. Its going to be very difficult for any manager to give him a proper role to get the maximum out of him.

Cirkin was solid - but need to see him against better opponents

White - lovely left foot and lad has got some passing range.

Devine - made only 2 passes - both forward difficult passes. Showed us he is brave on ball. Definite one to keep an eye on

Clarke - I thought he struggled a bit mostly due to making wrong decisions. When he made the right decisions, other attackers didnt gamble and make the runs. He needs more time to assess him better.

 

[UbeAstard]

From the little there is in the highlights just put up on YT, it seems Gedson was okay (I like Sonny having his arm around him as they came out for the first half, as though he’d been giving him a bit of a pep talk). Bowden looks comfortable along side first team players (maybe see him get some time in the early stages of the league cup?).

I thought Gedson looked good actually.

 

[TonyK]

Missed the first 20 mins of the game but PEH looks like he has already been playing for us for about 5 years.

 

[yusrisafri]

Very frustrating night for me.

When Scarlett came on, it wasnt the blonde bombshell who acted in The Avengers. Was waiting all night for her to come on.

 

[Joshua]

Missed the first 20 mins of the game but PEH looks like he has already been playing for us for about 5 years.

Was very impressive. Looked like exactly what we’ve been missing for the last 2 years or so.

 

[Cochise]

In between Medway and Maidstone.

Ah, so local to you? I think his neck of the woods is still technically Medway. I'm sure I saw him play when he was 7-8 years old.

 

[emiley heskey]

If mourinho wants to implement 343 formation, Then I think it will suit most of our fullbacks and defenders at our disposal and also we can get the goalscoring ability of kane, son, moura as son, moura don't need to hug the touchline and can get into the box more often..

With the type of fullbacks we have been linked with and how Mourinho played gedson/sess yesterday, may be 343 is the way forward for us...

Lloris
-----Toby/Sanchez dier/New Cb davies/cirkin ---
Gedson/Tanganga/New RWB Hojberg Winks Sess
------Moura Kane Son----

 

[JimmyG2]

Having successfully negotiated the unnecessarily complicated procedures
for getting a pass and setting up the account the whole procedure went down the tubes
when I pressed 'watch live' half an hour before the game.
If you have a membership number/ client reference number or whatever
why do you need a special pass anyway, they already said that as a One Hotspur member
that I ws entitled to view the game.
Just log in for fucks sake they know who you are.

Got the game eventually for the second half on bein sports and watched the highlights on you tube.
Glad I hadn't paid 10 quid for the privilege of being unable to view the game.

Clearly missed half a classic.
3 clean sheets, Two assists for Dele, two goals for Sonny.
Hojbjerg looks to be an asset, youth showing promise.
and a stand out effort by Gedson.
Confidence booster for Sess.
Nobody fucked up.
Promising.
We pressed and sorted it early.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

Their defenders had a mare first half, including the keeper - isn't he a new signing? They were pretty lucky, we should've gone in at half time 5 up at least.

Hobo looked keen but the expression on his face most of the time looks like a cat that's always on edge, always slightly freaked out. I'm half expecting him to receive the ball, half expecting him to be distracted by a ball of wool or tiny rodent at any minute. Clarke was tidy, did well with the overlaps and spotting when he had a lane to push forward, I liked his energy. Gedson was calm and confident but I'm really finding it hard to tell if newer players are settling in without a crowd there. I mean, it's great that we're getting football at all, but without the pressure of a crowd, without the noise, everyone looks like they're playing at about 80% because there's none of that pressure.

Sonny's finish, that little dink over the keeper, was Hoddle-esque, I love seeing that calm little chip, hopefully he's picking up where he left off as he's quite clearly world class. Reckon Sess probably got a tick for his performance on Jose's sheet too, he looked really hyped and if he keeps moving from so deep and gets defenders on the back foot in dangerous areas like that in league games then I don't doubt he's going to be popular.

 

[Push & Run]

Some interesting points, IMO GED-F was brill, his energy and desire was exactly what we have missed, may not be the finished article but huge improvement on the French clown. I still don't know what Sess is, I don't believe he does! He is supposed to be a bright talent but did little against a very poor side who he should be tearing apart. PEH dovetailed in bringing an outlet always making himself available - great. Youngsters show promise but still early days apart from Clarke who I thought was not at the races. A big disappointment was the number of real chances created, still being content on waiting for things to happen rather than making things happen. Lucas prime example lots of effort running around ever decreasing circles before disappearing up his own jacksy. Still overall some positives to build on but still lots of work in progress.

 

[GutBucket]

Clarke will count as club trained one day, he is still young and has potential. Worst case we wasted 5m or so (he will have some re-sale value).