Swansea Vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[ajspurs]

Our main problem is how slowly we turn defence into attack. We take six touches and pass it sideways in order to keep possession buy then by the time we do work the ball into the final third the opposition is back in numbers.
Imo that's also largely to blame for Soldado's failure to score and therefore his subsequent loss of confidence. He's used to playing on the shoulder of the last defender and would rely on quick through balls. Our slow patient build up is disastrous for his game.

Yea, and to be honest we had no outlet today. That's why in games today I think players like Lennon, Townsend and even Chadli (who cover a lot of ground with his sprints) are quite important. There was one time in particular that I remember where we had a chance to break from our own half, we took the ball into Swansea's half and started practically walking with the ball. The ball ended up back with Lloris and we ended up being put under pressure.

 

[Metalhead]

The main thing is to sell as much of the undesirables as possible. Got youngsters we can blood if the market is ridiculous.

That's true. Unfortunately I suspect that some might be happy to see out their contract.

 

[VegasII]

Based on today's performance, we won a battle but look way off winning the war. You could put a tin of beans in charge of this lot and we'd still manage to collect points every now and then due to individual skill.

I was hoping for an improved performance, and once again it was absent.

#tinofbeansout?

 

[Jamturk]

He's a fucking 30 million pound player! If I want someone to work there ass off for the team we can go pick up a million poynf player from the championship. He's miles and
Miles of dominating and scoring in games.
Making a difference.

I think you miss the point, he is working hard and showing determination surely that is a positive?

He trys things that others would'nt dare am I going to knock him for that, no not me I like brave footballers.

If we can't coach this talent to success then shame on us I say.

He did'nt set his price tag, the Spurs board did.

 

[StartingPrice]

Eh?

There was a lot I liked about Harry and his time in charge, but there was a lot more that I didn't. He had an incredibly short-term vision of squad-building for a start, and really only had himself to blame for getting the sack.

I actually admired Levy's ambition when he appointed AVB. It was a risk, but one I felt (and still feel) was worth taking at the time. As for Pochettino, he wasn't my first, second, or even third choice as manager, but I could at least recognise the logic behind it.

I don't want Pochettino to fail (quite the opposite, for obvious reasons), but I can distinguish between points and performances. Today was another poor performance, and I see no reason to sugar-coat it. Not expecting overnight miracles, but surely we can all agree that the signs of his influence should be more evident by now?

True, we would have hoped to have seen more.

What I believe we can see is that we are finishing games more strongly. I think too many are dismissing this merely as luck or opposition players getting sent off. I think the fitness regime is slowly having an impact. I think we are pressing better, too - if still sporadically.

I would have hoped the defence would have been just a little more composed - but TBF today is the first time we have even seen his (presumed) first choice back line. It's the first game he's a had a genuine right-back who has pace.

What is most disappointing for me, and I see @philip has just said it above, is how quickly we transition defence into attack. I believe this is a key-stone of Pochettino's sides and having watched quite a bit of Southampton last season was looking forward to seeing us attacking in seemingly unstoppable pacey waves. Capoue looked like he was going to be vital for us in this regard in pre-seaon, unfortunately, he seems to have gone backward (maybe it's just easier doing it against Yankee teams, no disrespect, than against the pace and aggression of the EPL.

So, some signs, some disappointments, but maybe a couple of astute signings, relationships developing all over the pitch, some continuity, etc., and, who knows, confidence from a run of results, might just see the pieces falling into place.

 

[thinktank]

That's true. Unfortunately I suspect that some might be happy to see out their contract.

Then they can rot, de-squad them and let them train with the youngsters and still bring through the best of the development boys.

There's major surgery needed and we have to get on with it whether they hang on for the money or have some integrity and agree to leave.

 

[scat1620]

Imagine how much better we'd look if we bought a proper striker partner for Kane. That would add 20% to our game in a single stroke.

 

[ebzrascal]

I wish people would judge Lamela on a level playing field like any other player.

The problem is that he is being judged by his price tag.

If like Mason (is older) he had come up from the youths people would be raving about his potential etc.

He is at the moment a victim of expectation.

I am not judging him on price or age but at this point he is not worth his place in the side that is the truth if he was bought for 30 million or 1 million.

 

[millsey]

I think you miss the point, he is working hard and showing determination surely that is a positive?

He trys things that others would'nt dare am I going to knock him for that, no not me I like brave footballers.

If we can't coach this talent to success then shame on us I say.

He did'nt set his price tag, the Spurs board did.

He shouldnt be playing in our first team right now. We carry him almost every game. He loses the ball so much. we can put another player in like Dembelemor Stambouli which would help the team far more

 

[newbie]

Based on today's performance, we won a battle but look way off winning the war. You could put a tin of beans in charge of this lot and we'd still manage to collect points every now and then due to individual skill.

I was hoping for an improved performance, and once again it was absent.

But we are starting to battle and we did fight what gets me down is when we act like pussies and have no fight and gift the opposition an easy day we had good spells against a good team away from home. We did give them to many chances but they have a great home record.

 

[iluvsteffenfreund]

I think you miss the point, he is working hard and showing determination surely that is a positive?

He trys things that others would'nt dare am I going to knock him for that, no not me I like brave footballers.

If we can't coach this talent to success then shame on us I say.

He did'nt set his price tag, the Spurs board did.

Let's say he cost us nothing... Based on his last 3 performances should he stay in the side ?

 

[jezz]

He's a fucking 30 million pound player! If I want someone to work there ass off for the team we can go pick up a million pound player from the championship. He's miles and
Miles off dominating and scoring in games.
Making a difference.

He's Fcuking 22 you moron.
It's called bad form, no player has ever encountered this in your world I know.
But in reality.
Players take time to adjust to a new league and find form.
The only Fcuking player to come here and play from the off was VDV.

 

[jezz]

Let's say he cost us nothing... Based on his last 3 performances should he stay in the side ?

No and nobody's saying that.

 

[Metalhead]

Then they can rot, de-squad them and let them train with the youngsters and still bring through the best of the development boys.

There's major surgery needed and we have to get on with it whether they hang on for the money or have some integrity and agree to leave.

I am kind of intrigued to see which players he has decided he doesn't want to keep.

 

[Jamturk]

Let's say he cost us nothing... Based on his last 3 performances should he stay in the side ?

Yes because he excites me, he is the kind of player I watch football for.

Lennon/Dembele won't give the ball away, but what does he do?

Lennon/Dembele is a football coward.

 

[spursram]

Thought Walker, like Bentaleb 2/3 weeks ago, had a really good game off the back of a long lay off. Yes, I know he is prone to the odd silly mistake, but overall, given the options, he adds more than detracts. Him and Naughton now available for RB is a positive. I'd really like to see Dier given a chance at CB in the cups, to see is he can claim 3rd choice CB. I still feel Verts could step up, and in particular push up more like he used to. Is he under instruction not to carry the ball forward? It used to be one of his strengths.
Maybe i am being lulled into a sense of expecting mediocracy, but I didn't think Lamela was as bad as some are saying. He moved the ball quicker, and didn't give it away as much as some people are suggesting. Obviously not a £30M performance by any means but I forgot about that a long time ago. I agree, however, that continuing to be one of the "first 11" is looking less likely and justifiable. .
Eriksen has the skill and lock picking ability to play central...but he's got to demonstrate he can cope with the physicality that will come with that position.
As I said jokingly on the first page of this thread...we were lucky Tom Carroll was ineligible!

 

[VegasII]

Crikey, just seen Kano's goal on a football site with Russian commentary.

Leapt like a salmon did our Harry.

Triffic.

 

[iluvsteffenfreund]

Yes because he excites me, he is the kind of player I watch football for.

Lennon/Dembele won't give the ball away, but what does he do?

Lennon/Dembele is a football coward.

What ! He's excited you in the last three games ? I'll tell you what is exciting is end product. Goals. Assists, great tackles.... He hasn't done any of the above for a while now. He needs a breather. Poch has shown plenty of faith yet his form this season has dipped from the start until now.

 

[stevenurse]

Crikey, just seen Kano's goal on a football site with Russian commentary.

Leapt like a salmon did our Harry.

Triffic.

I had literally no idea what you were on about, then I realised we all call Harry Kane "Kano"

 

[Sweetsman]

Hahaha what's your point !? There's a lot of players who take a while to settle and like I said in a previous post I hope we give lamela time and he comes good. But we can't play him at the minute when he is as bad as he was today. Should we play him just in case ala modric he turns out brilliant !?!? The difference is in 90 per cent of Madrids games they can afford to carry a player or two. We cannot.

What's my point? Well, you sort of explained it in your post! I don't think he's playing well: he gets shoved off the ball and gets short shrift from referees about it; his decision making is suspect at the moment; but he does make some good plays. He probably does need time in the gym and on the bench, because many young players do. Unlike Alan Sugar, I don't think Aaron Lennon is The Second Coming.