OMT Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley

[harr1984]

Interesting that now we’ve got 4 centre halves gunning for two spots it seems to be bringing out the best in them all - some real competition there. Unlike the attacking positions...

Or maybe and I know this is outrageous thought, the coach is coaching them to defend better as a unit. Or is it that all the bad play is down to the coach, and all the good play is credited with the players….

 

[Kandi1977]

Or maybe and I know this is outrageous thought, the coach is coaching them to defend better as a unit. Or is it that all the bad play is down to the coach, and all the good play is credited with the players….

I think it's pretty clear that our defensive play has improved a lot under Nuno, and maybe because we've focused on that, our attacking play has suffered a bit.
But that is normal. You start at the back, and move your way forward.

 

[Gutter Boy]

I think our defensive play has primarily improved because Romero and Royal are a lot better than Aurier and latter years Alder. That also effects the constant pieces on the left side.

 

[metalgear]

The balance has shifted too much to defence, we've forgotten how to attack. The goal in football is to score.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Fapatalk

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I think our defensive play has primarily improved because Romero and Royal are a lot better than Aurier and latter years Alder. That also effects the constant pieces on the left side.

Agreed
Better played make less mistakes

 

[Mosquito_Coasting]

Most managers build from the defence first, isn’t fair to judge Nuno when it’s a job in progress. It’s good he’s sorted the defence and he has the massive Kane problem to contend with in attack. It’s terrible that this season is the season we don’t even have a budget replacement after the likes of Vinicius and Llorente. This is the season we really need one.

 

[Lemonade Money]

It also suggests to me that Mourinho was bringing out the worst in Dier and Sanchez. After all, they’d both had decent seasons under Poch in the past. (Admittedly they’d got worse before Mourinho joined, but they went down another few levels under him).

Almost as if they needed a decent protective midfield in front of them.

 

[Gutter Boy]

The balance has shifted too much to defence, we've forgotten how to attack. The goal in football is to score.

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I think it's more specific than that. I think it's AVB's same problem - the CM double-pivot isn't working. Although they are both playing well, I think we need someone that transitions quicker than Hojberg and Skipp. I'd maybe try Lo Celso alongside one of them.

 

[Gutter Boy]

It also suggests to me that Mourinho was bringing out the worst in Dier and Sanchez. After all, they’d both had decent seasons under Poch in the past. (Admittedly they’d got worse before Mourinho joined, but they went down another few levels under him).

Both are much better in a higher line. Sanchez especially is a high-line specialist.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I think it's more specific than that. I think it's AVB's same problem - the CM double-pivot isn't working. Although they are both playing well, I think we need someone that transitions quicker than Hojberg and Skipp. I'd maybe try Lo Celso alongside one of them.

Or Tanguy
And okay Lo Celso in his correct position
Imagine a team where players played in the packed they were playing when we saw them and liked them as a club…. Would be weird

 

[Gutter Boy]

Or Tanguy
And okay Lo Celso in his correct position
Imagine a team where players played in the packed they were playing when we saw them and liked them as a club…. Would be weird

On skillset though, I'd have Ndombele as the 10 and Lo Celso as the CM. Ndombele as the lock-picker against deep-set defences, Lo Celso as the quick transitioner from deeper.

Eriksen, Dembele and Alli all converted between those positions in their first year or two with us and became better players for the change.

 

[Finney Is Back]

I think it's more specific than that. I think it's AVB's same problem - the CM double-pivot isn't working. Although they are both playing well, I think we need someone that transitions quicker than Hojberg and Skipp. I'd maybe try Lo Celso alongside one of them.

3 years after I was first banging on about the fact that we should be in for him, Kalvin Phillips would still be a great option for our midfield two.

 

[AdamB]

Or Tanguy
And okay Lo Celso in his correct position
Imagine a team where players played in the packed they were playing when we saw them and liked them as a club…. Would be weird

We need Lo Celso and TN in the team, and there's arguments for/against each being in CM vs the no 10 role. The important thing in my mind is that its those two plus one of Skipp/PEH in the 2CM roles and no 10

 

[Gutter Boy]

3 years after I was first banging on about the fact that we should be in for him, Kalvin Phillips would still be a great option for our midfield two.

Really good player. Though I'm not sure we'll be doing any business there with Sarr already on his way

 

[Bedfordspurs]

On skillset though, I'd have Ndombele as the 10 and Lo Celso as the CM. Ndombele as the lock-picker against deep-set defences, Lo Celso as the quick transitioner from deeper.

Eriksen, Dembele and Alli all converted between those positions in their first year or two with us and became better players for the change.

Tanguy can’t do that or hasn’t been able to do that since he has been here
He is about getting the ball deep and getting past the block

 

[Bedfordspurs]

3 years after I was first banging on about the fact that we should be in for him, Kalvin Phillips would still be a great option for our midfield two.

He will be available when Leeds get relegated this season

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

The balance has shifted too much to defence, we've forgotten how to attack. The goal in football is to score.

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Maybe Kane has.

 

[Pirate55]

We need Lo Celso and TN in the team, and there's arguments for/against each being in CM vs the no 10 role. The important thing in my mind is that its those two plus one of Skipp/PEH in the 2CM roles and no 10

Agreed. Except against Chelsea, Man C and Liverpool, where we need the defensive double of Skip and PEH

 

[SouthStand322]

Or maybe and I know this is outrageous thought, the coach is coaching them to defend better as a unit. Or is it that all the bad play is down to the coach, and all the good play is credited with the players….

A bit of both I would say. Definitely set up better defensively, but I think having that extra bit of quality come in the door has raised the bar for the centre halves also

 

[SpurMeUp]

3 years after I was first banging on about the fact that we should be in for him, Kalvin Phillips would still be a great option for our midfield two.

With Skipp, why would we want him? We do need another midfielder, but someone with technique and passing ability. Phillips is a little light on technical skill for me.

Managed to watch the first half (only the streaming site didn't have the second!).

Moura changed the game for us. Played more central than Gil and opened up what was a pretty stale game until then. But the most pleasing part of the match was seeing Royal show confidence and pomp! He started to enjoy himself, and showed he could be an exceptional fullback. Strong defensively, comfortable on the ball, and able to attack. Early days still.

Royal's performance illustrates how important momentum and playing regular games is. Credit to Nuno for not rotating in Tanganga, though harsh on him as he deserves games himself.

All the hoopla over the summer has to affect Kane. I think it would anyone. Kane needs to get back in the zone, which always takes him a while anyway. This season he's had a disrupted preseason and a saga to unbalance his focus. If Scarlett had put in the same performance the likes of @Bishop would be out slating the club and bemoaning our lack of talent. I actually think Scarlett just needs his confidence boosting. He needs backing from fans and to be celebrated. At 17 he's more than holding his own, and he has earned the right to be back up - despite what the naysayers say and post. Never easy when you don't have a run of games and your playing in a disjointed side, but the kid has done well.

Bergwijn...Confidence is a big thing for any player. With Bergwijn it seems everything. He's not delivering what he is capable of. A good manager should be able to eek more from him, but 3 have had similar results. Another who needs building up - needs to believe in themselves. His head goes down (internally) far too easily.

On a positive: I really like the way Sanchez passes the ball on the deck. Must be an Ajax thing. His passing is fast, crisp and easy to control. We need more crisp passing. I thought we were better with passing today, but still more to come.