OMT - Tottenham Hotspur vs Palace (the TL;DR version)

[braineclipse]

Spectacular stadium. Performance was patchy, if I'm being diplomatic; like watching headless chickens breakdancing if I'm not, and that contributed to a steady sapping of the atmosphere up until the first goal. Thank Christ, though, 3 points and a clean sheet from game 1. First goal, first yellow and first concussion all went to Spurs players, and you can't say fairer than that.

I thought we were rather good. Palace are tough opponents, sitting back, well organized, good counter attacking players.

Would have liked to see us create a couple more clear cut chances. But other than that there wasn't much to point a finger to in a very high pressure game for our lads. Palace had one or two decent counter attacking chances, other than that we completely dominated whilst strangling their attempts to counter. Credit to our centre backs and Sissoko in particular.

We created loads of half chances, and several situations where a bit more quality around their box would have seen us with bigger chances.

A continued upwards trajectory in terms of performance imo. Sometimes you need a bit of "luck" with a deflection or something like that to open the scoring in a game like this.

 

[Daisuk]

I thought we played well. Not sure why some people complain. Opening night, clean sheet, we created lots of chances, comfortable win in the end. Lots of fight from the boys. Well happy with it.

What I don't understand is why there were empty seats! What the hell! Why was there? I'd do anything for a ticket.

 

[StephenH]

Sissoko pushing Kane out of the way . In tears here

Hilarious..

 

[PochettinoPochettinoPochettino]

Some Palace fan came up to me on the train after the game and said the atmosphere was brick. Didn't think it was that bad but didn't think it was that great to be fair. The odd songs of park Lane Paxton etc but it didn't feel like a london Derby. West ham will be rocking though methinks. I do like the fact that the away fans have home fans above them now. Think it can be a bit intimidating having fans above you looking at you.

 

[Lemonade Money]

Some Palace fan came up to me on the train after the game and said the atmosphere was brick. Didn't think it was that bad but didn't think it was that great to be fair. The odd songs of park Lane Paxton etc but it didn't feel like a london Derby. West ham will be rocking though methinks. I do like the fact that the away fans have home fans above them now. Think it can be a bit intimidating having fans above you looking at you.

When it was loud, it was loud. They sung your support is brick a few times, but I'd say it was above average for the length of time singing against a tinkle pot team like Palace.

 

[Moby]

Thought we looked a hell of a lot more cohesive once we made the sub with Winks coming on for Rose.

The beauty of that was the reshuffle which saw Harry back as the focal point up top, then Son, Dele and Eriksen in the 3 behind. It just seemed like ‘DESK’ (sorry ) suddenly knew what each other were doing and the understanding kicked in again.

Winks and Sissoko is a decent balance for the two ‘sitters’ and I think I the back 4 appreciates knowing what’s going on in front of it. Obviously Trips and Davies then aren’t the ideal fullbacks if we want the additional attacking benefits of flying wingbacks - but they are defensively solid in this line up.

Key learning point: play our big 4 up front for the rest of the season!!!

 

[braineclipse]

Thought we looked a hell of a lot more cohesive once we made the sub with Winks coming on for Rose.

The beauty of that was the reshuffle which saw Harry back as the focal point up top, then Son, Dele and Eriksen in the 3 behind. It just seemed like ‘DESK’ (sorry ) suddenly knew what each other were doing and the understanding kicked in again.

Winks and Sissoko is a decent balance for the two ‘sitters’ and I think I the back 4 appreciates knowing what’s going on in front of it. Obviously Trips and Davies then aren’t the ideal fullbacks if we want the additional attacking benefits of flying wingbacks - but they are defensively solid in this line up.

Key learning point: play our big 4 up front for the rest of the season!!!

Winks looked very good. Hopefully the injury break hasn't hurt his form. Gives us a lot more options if he's ready to start against City.

For most of our remaining games I agree, get the big 4 up front. For the City games I'm more uncertain.

 

[PochettinoPochettinoPochettino]

Winks looked very good. Hopefully the injury break hasn't hurt his form. Gives us a lot more options if he's ready to start against City.

For most of our remaining games I agree, get the big 4 up front. For the City games I'm more uncertain.

Winks changed the pace of the game for us. Not sure why Dele was told to play so deep hes not a deep midfielder, he should play off the strikers and a lot further forward.

 

[Ade's folks are ok really]

Some Palace fan came up to me on the train after the game and said the atmosphere was brick. Didn't think it was that bad but didn't think it was that great to be fair. The odd songs of park Lane Paxton etc but it didn't feel like a london Derby. West ham will be rocking though methinks. I do like the fact that the away fans have home fans above them now. Think it can be a bit intimidating having fans above you looking at you.

I'm inclined to agree.
Really wanted to keep it to myself as don't want to tinkle on the buzz people had last night. And don't get me wrong, it was great to be home and the place is incredible as a state-of-the-art stadium.

HOWEVER, there were long periods where the atmosphere was shocking. First ten mins were great, people going through the repertoire, but after that, there was just no originality about the place. Nothing unique. It seemed a struggle to get things going on a night where the atmosphere should've just taken care of itself.
I put a lengthy post out earlier in the week about having one chance to get the atmosphere right, and I feel those fears are all too apparent.

The "White Wall" as people are calling it was poor. Sure, when they were in unison it was loud, but it bloody should be when 17k sing together.
But where was the jumping in unison? Making the stand rock? Creating a visual spectacle for Sky to pick up on and other fans to be in awe of.
I was hoping for a PAOK or Dortmund-esque style stand. Instead, it just felt like an expansion of Park Lane. I love Park Lane and will always sit there if poss, but when you've publicised and preached so much about this great new single-tier stand, it needs a serious rethink from the fans who'll be there regularly.
There are many members who missed out and would give a right nut to have been there singing their hearts out last night. I didn't expect to hear people shouting "sing up Tottenham" to the South Stand.

Even the goal celebrations seemed somewhat damp and hollow.

It was nice however to hear "Can't Smile Without You" ring out as the opening tune pre-kick-off. But again, it didn't quite seem to catch on amongst the fans and just died off as soon as kick off abruptly came. Hopefully that will sort itself out, as I think that'd be great to hear carry on once the music stops.

 

[Pirate55]

It was very loud a lot of the time

It was patchy - just like the game, imbued with a kind of nervousness.

The strangest thing for me was the relative quietness that greeted the second goal. Most around me thought it had been disallowed. It was only when the players continued celebrating that we were able to believe it had been given.

Also, I was surprised that I didn't hear a rendition of " Nice one Son.... " ringing around the ground after the first goal.

All very strange.

 

[ringo]

Was in 419 last night, with my son, got tickets through ticket exchange (eventually).

Notes:

• Ended up the wrong side of the stadium (east side) and had to walk almost half the way around to get to entrance 8 just got to seats in time for kick off. (Missed opening ceremony)
  
• Acoustics are very good when people are singing. Was surprised there wasn't a bit more consistent singing - was definitely a few lulls. But think people were quite nervy about the game and winning first game - at least that is what it felt like to me.
• View from 419 is very good - bizarrely the pitch seemed to be shorter length wise - I'm sure it is not obviously - but I could see both ends clearly without needing to look at screens.
• Saw a few empty seats - small group at front on east side, for example. But not many.
  
• Surprised at how many people didn't make it back to their seats until at least 10 mins into second half - didn't go out so don't know whether that was because of queues.
• Left on the whistle and walked back down to seven sisters at possibly the fastest pace I've ever walked - while running the flag gauntlet (the risk of impalement by the handles of flags on the back swing as people carried them walking_)
• Walk back and tube relatively straightforward - but if we had not got out at as quickly as we did think it would have been different. I needed to get to Victoria to catch late train.
  
• As for the game - what with the new surroundings I found it difficult to focus on the game. But really glad/relived we won. Was worried we wouldn't capitalise on all the pressure.
  
• Was Dele first person booked in the stadium?

 

[Baleforce]

I'm not surprised it was nervy, 6 straight defeats and CL qualification looking precarious.

 

[Ade's folks are ok really]

It was patchy - just like the game, imbued with a kind of nervousness.

The strangest thing for me was the relative quietness that greeted the second goal. Most around me thought it had been disallowed. It was only when the players continued celebrating that we were able to believe it had been given.

Also, I was surprised that I didn't hear a rendition of " Nice one Son.... " ringing around the ground after the first goal.

All very strange.

Where were you sitting? I was in 529 (left side of South Lower) and there was a very loud and long rendition of Nice One Sonny after the goal.

To be honest, it felt like a lot of the blocks around that side fed into the South Stand in general at times. They were quieter than I'd hoped.

 

[Glenda's Legs]

I'm inclined to agree.
Really wanted to keep it to myself as don't want to tinkle on the buzz people had last night. And don't get me wrong, it was great to be home and the place is incredible as a state-of-the-art stadium.

HOWEVER, there were long periods where the atmosphere was shocking. First ten mins were great, people going through the repertoire, but after that, there was just no originality about the place. Nothing unique. It seemed a struggle to get things going on a night where the atmosphere should've just taken care of itself.
I put a lengthy post out earlier in the week about having one chance to get the atmosphere right, and I feel those fears are all too apparent.

The "White Wall" as people are calling it was poor. Sure, when they were in unison it was loud, but it bloody should be when 17k sing together.
But where was the jumping in unison? Making the stand rock? Creating a visual spectacle for Sky to pick up on and other fans to be in awe of.
I was hoping for a PAOK or Dortmund-esque style stand. Instead, it just felt like an expansion of Park Lane. I love Park Lane and will always sit there if poss, but when you've publicised and preached so much about this great new single-tier stand, it needs a serious rethink from the fans who'll be there regularly.
There are many members who missed out and would give a right nut to have been there singing their hearts out last night. I didn't expect to hear people shouting "sing up Tottenham" to the South Stand.

Even the goal celebrations seemed somewhat damp and hollow.

It was nice however to hear "Can't Smile Without You" ring out as the opening tune pre-kick-off. But again, it didn't quite seem to catch on amongst the fans and just died off as soon as kick off abruptly came. Hopefully that will sort itself out, as I think that'd be great to hear carry on once the music stops.

Each to their own, of course.
I'm not clear why we only have "one chance" to get it right (whatever 'right' means)?
Personally I hate the jumping in unison thing, and I hate the continuous noise from the likes of Dortmund as you miss that growing roar of anticipation as a player bears down on goal.

There were lulls last night, as there always are. Maybe we all expected a bit more for the first game proper but I thought it was more than OK.

 

[Baleforce]

Each to their own, of course.
I'm not clear only we only have "one chance" to get it right (whatever 'right' means)?
Personally I hate the jumping in unison thing, and I hate the continuous noise from the likes of Dortmund as you miss that growing roar of anticipation as a player bears down on goal.

There were lulls last night, as there always are. Maybe we all expected a bit more for the first game proper but I thought it was more than OK.

+1

 

[ringo]

PS I think the new stadium is fantastic, and as a club we needed to grow and improve - but I will always have a nostalgic place in my heart for the old White Hart Lane - there was just something about that place.

 

[Glenda's Legs]

It was patchy - just like the game, imbued with a kind of nervousness.

The strangest thing for me was the relative quietness that greeted the second goal. Most around me thought it had been disallowed. It was only when the players continued celebrating that we were able to believe it had been given.

Also, I was surprised that I didn't hear a rendition of " Nice one Son.... " ringing around the ground after the first goal.

All very strange.

The second goal was weird. From the other end, we thought maybe Kane had been fouled and were waiting to see if a penalty was given. When Eriksen scored we weren't sure whether the game had already been stopped.
It was a shame as it felt like being cheated out of a proper celebration.
There was a bit of an attempt at Nice One Son but it didn't really take off. I didn't hear Eriksen's song either.
I think we will hear a lot more noise on Tuesday as the initial crowd nerves from last night will have settled. Although playing against Emirates Marketing Project is not really going to help with that is it!

 

[Baleforce]

The second goal was weird. From the other end, we thought maybe Kane had been fouled and were waiting to see if a penalty was given. When Eriksen scored we weren't sure whether the game had already been stopped.
It was a shame as it felt like being cheated out of a proper celebration.
There was a bit of an attempt at Nice One Son but it didn't really take off. I didn't hear Eriksen's song either.
I think we will hear a lot more noise on Tuesday as the initial crowd nerves from last night will have settled. Although playing against Emirates Marketing Project is not really going to help with that is it!

But that can only happen with VAR surely

 

[Pirate55]

Where were you sitting? I was in 529 (left side of South Lower) and there was a very loud and long rendition of Nice One Sonny after the goal.

To be honest, it felt like a lot of the blocks around that side fed into the South Stand in general at times. They were quieter than I'd hoped.

West stand 506 top tier level with the penalty box on north side. The noise wasn't great and I didn't hear " Nice one Son" . It should have rung around the entire stadium.

Hope the atmosphere improves for the City game.

 

[ringo]

The second goal was weird. From the other end, we thought maybe Kane had been fouled and were waiting to see if a penalty was given. When Eriksen scored we weren't sure whether the game had already been stopped.
It was a shame as it felt like being cheated out of a proper celebration.
There was a bit of an attempt at Nice One Son but it didn't really take off. I didn't hear Eriksen's song either.
I think we will hear a lot more noise on Tuesday as the initial crowd nerves from last night will have settled. Although playing against Emirates Marketing Project is not really going to help with that is it!

It was, wasn't it. Fans around me thought it was a penalty, there was pause, next thing everyone is celebrating a goal and I'm trying to figure out what happened.