***Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea***, Premier League, Nov 1st 2025 at White Hart Lane

[thfcsteff]

No confidence. Fuk up and the stadium groans.

We were trying but not delivering. And you could see the pressure on players shoulders. Simons comes on loses the ball, and he didn’t regain composure. Lost it again twice more in quick succession, leading to their goal. He actually NEEDED to turn back rather than do as you suggested just play some simple passses and get into a flow. Instead the pressure at home builds and weighs heavy on a relatively young side who aren’t confident yet.

WHO is responsible for giving the team emancipation at home?

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

Didn’t manage to answer my question…

To be able to move the ball around the pitch effectively. They pressed us well but with more patience and confidence we can do better and lose the ball less often.

Then as we know we lack experience and fluidity in attack. So an unsettled attack lacking confidence and experience playing in a bit of a cauldron.

I genuinely don’t think we had a plan.

We didn’t even try and counter. When we got the ball, we’d slowly plod it back to the CBs, who would look for non existent options, and then we’d hoof it. That was it.

I get the idea of slowing it down, trying to regain the territory, and keeping the ball from them. It probably contributed to Chelsea not creating much themselves. But to not have a plan to even counter, let alone a plan in possession, when the gap between the teams isn’t THAT large, that was the most egregious thing for me.

What would ‘our game’ have looked like today had it been working? It would have been getting a lucky flick on from a hoof and then making something of the 4 v 4 that it might generate. But it’s a total coin toss. It’s not something you can plan. It was really really bad.

 

[SpurMeUp]

It can’t transition because it is too packed with defensive players, playing to horrible, negative instruction.

We were indeed losing to them under the last manager but we weren’t doing so hoping to nick a nil nil.

Okay. It is clear we are not an elite team. Should be to you and everyone else. Unless you are deluded. We finished 17th last season.

Yet you’re expecting us to play expansive football and beat the chavs. Well yes it would be nice. But we need a defensive foundation. That doesn’t mean we can’t transition and play.

What I’ve seen dating all the way back to Mourinho is inexperienced Spurs sides buckling under the pressure of playing at home against Chelsea. And what has happened more often than not is the added pressure curtails our play. Makes us too frantic and stops us being patient and playing our game. Now, we aren’t a slick settled side so some patience is needed, as is a strong defence.

Arguably Anges turning point was this fixture. We could go top of the league (was it?) and Ange psyched up the players. The stadium added to the fever, and we imploded. Lost the game. Lost key players. And Ange never recovered.

We need to patiently develop our way of playing and get some confidence into the side.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

No-one wants to pin anything on the manager, however he is making it unavoidable.
Not even going to bother with your Postecoglu stuff (I think it's a nonsense unless you want a proper discussion) however let me name the attackers we fielded during today's game.

Kolo Muani
Richarlison
Kudus
Johnson
Odobert
Xavi

The manager gets a partial pass on the fact that we are still trying to rebalance the squad into something deeply competitive. We again REFUSED to sign a left-sided defender (Hincapie sits on the bench over there and we could've pushed and got him - we didn't), and we failed to get a quality left-winger. Critically, we blew the MGW signing. So we had squad issues...where the manager has to wear this and wear it honestly, is that he has NO attacking plan beyond what I've banged on about already (likely boring everyone in the process - me, not him...well, maybe him too hahahaha)...

There was absolutely no spirit second-half because there was no plan. Other than Romero and Udogie, the subs were all about doing the same thing with fresher legs, and that same thing wasn't working. I thought TF was both a pragmatist and tactically flexible!!!! I am not seeing it. I live in hope.

Agreed. It didn’t feel like there was a plan to win. Purely to contain. But Frank talked a lot before the season about planning to win every game. I was interested in the idea of not having a system adhered to rigidly if it meant we had game specific plans we used each game. But we didn’t see any of that today. And I can’t believe the Lucas injury meant the whole thing had to be thrown out the window.

This was the concern people had with Frank prior to him joining. It’s all well and good to not be a dogmatist, but to not have a possession game when you have aspirations of being back in the top 6, it’s going to show up a lot of performances like this. And we’ve already seen it with a Bournemouth, Wolves and now today.

 

[thfcsteff]

Didn’t manage to answer my question…

What? This question?

"The team should be able to transition and move out with possession"

I think today, Sarr and Xavi were the players who are closest to that skillset. Bentacur could at one point, alas these days he is deployed as security alongside our security. Bergvall was the one today, and his loss didn't help at all, but again, Fran has us set up defensively.

Why didn't he start Richy on the left and Sarr in the side instead of Pahlinha? At least Sarr can drop, receive and carry from deep. Instead he pushed him up, leaving (as usual) a hole, one which whenever our FBs got the ball was gaping and forced us to either horseshoe again, go back to Vic or get pressed into losing.

The coach is responsible, I am somewhat surprised you don't seem to want to acknowledge that?

 

[SpurMeUp]

WHO is responsible for giving the team emancipation at home?

I would like to think fans play a part, as well as the coaching team.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

Okay. It is clear we are not an elite team. Should be to you and everyone else. Unless you are deluded. We finished 17th last season.

Yet you’re expecting us to play expansive football and beat the chavs. Well yes it would be nice. But we need a defensive foundation. That doesn’t mean we can’t transition and play.

What I’ve seen dating all the way back to Mourinho is inexperienced Spurs sides buckling under the pressure of playing at home against Chelsea. And what has happened more often than not is the added pressure curtails our play. Makes us too frantic and stops us being patient and playing our game. Now, we aren’t a slick settled side so some patience is needed, as is a strong defence.

Arguably Anges turning point was this fixture. We could go top of the league (was it?) and Ange psyched up the players. The stadium added to the fever, and we imploded. Lost the game. Lost key players. And Ange never recovered.

We need to patiently develop our way of playing and get some confidence into the side.

Would love to hear your thoughts on what today would have looked like once we had patiently developed our way of playing? It didn’t look like we had anything workable.

 

[SpurMeUp]

No-one wants to pin anything on the manager, however he is making it unavoidable.
Not even going to bother with your Postecoglu stuff (I think it's a nonsense unless you want a proper discussion) however let me name the attackers we fielded during today's game.

Kolo Muani
Richarlison
Kudus
Johnson
Odobert
Xavi

The manager gets a partial pass on the fact that we are still trying to rebalance the squad into something deeply competitive. We again REFUSED to sign a left-sided defender (Hincapie sits on the bench over there and we could've pushed and got him - we didn't), and we failed to get a quality left-winger. Critically, we blew the MGW signing. So we had squad issues...where the manager has to wear this and wear it honestly, is that he has NO attacking plan beyond what I've banged on about already (likely boring everyone in the process - me, not him...well, maybe him too hahahaha)...

There was absolutely no spirit second-half because there was no plan. Other than Romero and Udogie, the subs were all about doing the same thing with fresher legs, and that same thing wasn't working. I thought TF was both a pragmatist and tactically flexible!!!! I am not seeing it. I live in hope.

Wow. It’s his first season and we just finished October fickle fans? Absolutely.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Sometimes you need a man in charge who inspires you
I’m not seeing that as a fan with Frank
It’s kind the opposite
Right now he comes across as the guy in the pub who sits in the corner enjoying his micro brewery niche beer

 

[Grays_1890]

Seeing the same arguments I've seen for the last 10 years. Burkinshaw could come in, within his pomp and wouldn't get a tune out of this club I swear.

Seem stuck in a continuous circle and have been since I don't know when.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Would love to hear your thoughts on what today would have looked like once we had patiently developed our way of playing? It didn’t look like we had anything workable.

Refinement.

Almost like fans think Frank wants us to lose the ball. Of course he doesn’t. He’s trying to fix things step by step. But the expectation is off the scale.

We miss Maddison and Kulu who can put their foot on the ball. The chavs put us under pressure and we had no answer rarely able to get around their press. They worked hard and closed us down and we played at Saudi Sportswashing Machine a coup of days ago.

But imagine being a player trying to play infron of our fans who have no patience or support for a team that need to gel and find form…

 

[thfcsteff]

Wow. It’s his first season and we just finished October fickle fans? Absolutely.

Is that all you can contribute to what I thought was a discussion? OK mate...it's actually a disgraceful, wind-up comment, and if that was your aim, many congratulations. If not, see if you can stretch yourself to engaging in a discussion where you read what was written and reply with your own views.
Either that or just disagree. What you did? Total and utter flimflam.

 

[SpurMeUp]

What? This question?

"The team should be able to transition and move out with possession"

I think today, Sarr and Xavi were the players who are closest to that skillset. Bentacur could at one point, alas these days he is deployed as security alongside our security. Bergvall was the one today, and his loss didn't help at all, but again, Fran has us set up defensively.

Why didn't he start Richy on the left and Sarr in the side instead of Pahlinha? At least Sarr can drop, receive and carry from deep. Instead he pushed him up, leaving (as usual) a hole, one which whenever our FBs got the ball was gaping and forced us to either horseshoe again, go back to Vic or get pressed into losing.

The coach is responsible, I am somewhat surprised you don't seem to want to acknowledge that?

No. That wasn’t a question. The question mark gave a clue

Even under different managers we’ve been losing at home to the chavs. Why?

Agreed on the conundrum. We lack players who can beat the press. Maddison, Kulu are big misses for us. Now if you get tight to the overplayed, Kudus, we don’t really have anyone who can perform this key thing now.

 

[thfcsteff]

Refinement.

Almost like fans think Frank wants us to lose the ball. Of course he doesn’t. He’s trying to fix things step by step. But the expectation is off the scale.

We miss Maddison and Kulu who can put their foot on the ball. The chavs put us under pressure and we had no answer rarely able to get around their press. They worked hard and closed us down and we played at Saudi Sportswashing Machine a coup of days ago.

But imagine being a player trying to play infron of our fans who have no patience or support for a team that need to gel and find form…

I think perhaps you are missing a concern I, and others, have.
When Deki and Maddison are finally fit, will Frank be able to use them in the system he seems to currently like? The current answer is no.

YOU are (suggesting that fans are) lumping it on the players. No-one else I am seeing is.
Obviously Frank needs at least this season to be fairly evaluated, but the fear is he simply does not want to play the type of football we want to see, and therefore the Dekis and Madders of this world won't make a difference beyond what they can magic up on the spot.

 

[yiddo37]

tinkle poor, they're not even that good and yet could have won 4 or 5 nil.

 

[Finney Is Back]

Okay. It is clear we are not an elite team. Should be to you and everyone else. Unless you are deluded. We finished 17th last season.

Yet you’re expecting us to play expansive football and beat the chavs. Well yes it would be nice. But we need a defensive foundation. That doesn’t mean we can’t transition and play.

What I’ve seen dating all the way back to Mourinho is inexperienced Spurs sides buckling under the pressure of playing at home against Chelsea. And what has happened more often than not is the added pressure curtails our play. Makes us too frantic and stops us being patient and playing our game. Now, we aren’t a slick settled side so some patience is needed, as is a strong defence.

Arguably Anges turning point was this fixture. We could go top of the league (was it?) and Ange psyched up the players. The stadium added to the fever, and we imploded. Lost the game. Lost key players. And Ange never recovered.

We need to patiently develop our way of playing and get some confidence into the side.

We did indeed finish 17th last season but we did that while winning the Europa League and sacrificed league position to do so.

No I don’t expect us to go out and roll Chelsea over playing expansive football. However, unlike you, I do expect us to actually go out and try to win instead of setting up,a team with zero attacking threat.

After the 1-4 loss under Ange I was proud. We played some great football and carried on trying to win even with 10 and then 9 players. Today we didn’t try to win with 11 v 11. Pathetic, negative, long ball, anti football, where we couldn’t fashion a single decent chance in 90 minutes, even despite being a goal behind for 60 minutes. Give me that 1-4 over today’s pathetic 0-1 any day!

 

[Mikey10]

Seeing the same arguments I've seen for the last 10 years. Burkinshaw could come in, within his pomp and wouldn't get a tune out of this club I swear.

Seem stuck in a continuous circle and have been since I don't know when.

We certainly will be with fans who seem to be chucking it in after 15 games. It’s laughable.

Yes, it was grim tonight - but it is such early days. And we are 4th, not 17th.

 

[thfcsteff]

No. That wasn’t a question. The question mark gave a clue

Even under different managers we’ve been losing at home to the chavs. Why?

Agreed on the conundrum. We lack players who can beat the press. Maddison, Kulu are big misses for us. Now if you get tight to the overplayed, Kudus, we don’t really have anyone who can perform this key thing now.

Next time, do me a favour and treat me like an idiot in that case and repeat the question to avoid confusion.

In answer to that question...I don't see what relevance that has to today's performance. Two of the bravest performances against those clams I have seen in the Prem were the 2-2 at the Bridge under Poch and the 1-4 defeat under Ange in his first season (not counting the games we won under Poch of course)...the 1-4 will always divide opinion, but I knew who we were, and but for a toenail we'd have been 2-2 in the 90th min with a miracle equalizer. Instead 2 goals conceded in extra time. But those 9 men played with intent.

Maybe I'm part of the problem, as we do seem to win when I'm at games against them (2-1 Jol, 2-0 Poch, 3-1 at the Bridge Poch) LOL...

 

[SpurMeUp]

I think perhaps you are missing a concern I, and others, have.
When Deki and Maddison are finally fit, will Frank be able to use them in the system he seems to currently like? The current answer is no.

Would you send me a crystal ball too when you can!

YOU are lumping it on the players. No-one else I am seeing is.

Really? Quote me.

Obviously Frank needs at least this season to be fairly evaluated,

Your words, great advice

but the fear is he simply does not want to play the type of football we want to see, and therefore the Dekis and Madders of this world won't make a difference beyond what they can magic up on the spot.

It’s a results biz. We were woeful. But I think your expectations need a hard reset. We have been woeful last season too. And now we miss our more senior steady players in midfield and attack.

What are you expecting? We have to start with a defensive foundation and build off of it. And we will if Spurs fans don’t undermine. We need stability, support, and steady improvement.

 

[Jordinho]

We did indeed finish 17th last season but we did that while winning the Europa League and sacrificed league position to do so.

No I don’t expect us to go out and roll Chelsea over playing expansive football. However, unlike you, I do expect us to actually go out and try to win instead of setting up,a team with zero attacking threat.

After the 2-4 loss under Ange I was proud. We played some great football and carried on trying to win even with 10 and then 9 players. Today we didn’t try to win with 11 v 11. Pathetic, negative, long ball, anti football, where we couldn’t fashion a single decent chance in 90 minutes, even despite being a goal behind for 60 minutes.

No, we finished 17th because we were crap. Everything else is excuses made by a master of the art.