Obviously Tripper shouldn't have tried to make that pass to Winks. It's not the pass itself, it's a fantastic piece of closing by Lingard (?) who see's it sprints back and cuts it out. Winks is calling for it, but Tripper is unsure, looks forward then passes too late inside. Sissoko would have been closer to him to recieved an easier pass. When a player has just come off, keep it tight at the back for the couple of minutes until HT, drop off a little, get a few players back, that has to come from the manager. After the poor pass there is still a lot to do, but we need a scape goat, so Trippier it is.
I mean at the end of the first half.
Sissoko went off and Poch just left Winks to deal with midfield.
Time and again, United were leaving 2v2 or 3v3 so they could break at speed.
Poch had a big choice to make, bring on an attacker (Lamela) or a more defensive player (Skipp, Sanchez) and he gambled.
He bought on Lamela and left Winks to deal with it.
Seconds later they seized the ball and scored.
In the second half Poch changed formation and we looked fantastic.
But for 10 minutes, when the pressure was on, Poch didn't do the right thing and we conceded.
Just want to add, feel gutted for Winks for not putting away his chance. Been a while since he's scored for us (not since that West Ham match a long time ago, right?). I'd love to see him score again soon. Such a fan as well as a player, must be frustrating to be so close.
Typical Dele diving again!
Think Davies played well personally.
Very unfortunate with injuries, all sides have them but to have had 8 or 9 out for long periods ie. 3-4 weeks minimum is just ridiculous.
Sometimes think we're cursed.
And now Kane and Sissy too...
Impressive typing all that having just one hand available .
If Tripper has someone to pass to, then he's not forced into that. We were outnumbered at the back, and Sissoko wasn't there to help out. If Poch subs on Sanchez, or tells Alli or Eriksen to sit infront of the back 4 until half time, we've covered, get to HT and regroup. Easy to say in hidsight. I saw Lamela make a woeful pass, it didn't result in a goal against us - but if it did would people be saying 'sell him' etc? Likewise Eriksen misplaced a few.
Where was Aurier today btw? Not even on the bench - Is he injured again?
Frustrating day .. probably should stay away from Spurs & media around it ...
My view
- United is quite agricultural, long ball to runners, hoping to hit us with pace (worked once)
- We should have won, partially needed to be a touch more clinical, partially keeper had a blinder
That said
- Another challenge failed ...
- Squad in general looked tired, just that little bit off .. too many games
- Bench was weak, midfield a real problem especially with Sissoko going down.
- Trippier and Davies have just been poor, that and CM have to get invested in.
On to the next game ...
We don't play until Thursday week
They have, mate - I've never argued that they haven't. But they did it with the club's own money - they redirected it in a semi-competent fashion into infrastructure over the team.
I've made the comparison before, but they're basically following the Arsenal model, without the actual league titles, trophies or success that comes with it. And don't get me wrong, that's competent stuff, but it's just nothing that couldn't have been done by someone who also actually cared about keeping our good teams together, and spending a bit to do it.
And let's be honest - without Poch, would that last bit be valid? Poch himself even admitted that ENIC's plan for him was to stay somewhere in the top six until the new stadium, and then get top four in the season *after* the move.
Poch is the man who revolutionized everything, far surpassing even what ENIC expected from him. The problem now is that this has put our owners in the inconvenient situation where they would actually have to invest to maintain that progress to the satisfaction of the manager and the players, who all want to win things.
And, as we've seen, ENIC has failed on that count, and keeps failing with every passing day. The team needed investment in the summer, needs it more now, and will need it even more next summer - but I expect absolutely nothing from them, because they're more comfortable with the Sahas and Nelsens of the world.
They're not bad owners. But they're not particularly beneficial anymore, either - they're just competent, risk-averse administrators.
I definitely haven't forgotten - even if I'm a bit nostalgic about those years, because every goal meant more and the days were just a lot more expectation-free in general . But I also think Spurs fans were very traumatized by the Sugar years and the atrocious 90's - to the point where competence looks like genius, because it's better than what we had before. Anything would be better, after all - and a solid job suddenly looks inspirational and against all odds.
What ENIC have done is a solid, reasonably competent job. But we can do better. And we should be striving to find better, because they've hit their glass ceiling.
That this is such a controversial opinion that generates such rage on the board (not you by any means, but more broadly) always amuses me.
Yes Steff, was replying to Gilzean saying we'll probably lose to Chelski next week...which we can'tWe have a game next weekend mate. But relative holiday for sure.
Sitting on my porcelain throne using glory-glory.co.uk mobile app
Agree. I felt that we were gonna be 'light' and up against it when Sissoko went off. Completely the opposite and we dominated all areas second half.They are undoubtedly tired but it didn't show today. I expected us to be overrun in the 2nd half but it was all us.
If we take that level of performance forward now we will be absolutely fine.
They are undoubtedly tired but it didn't show today. I expected us to be overrun in the 2nd half but it was all us.
If we take that level of performance forward now we will be absolutely fine.
I might not agree with all you say but it is excellently stated. Some great points there Dubai.
Sitting on my porcelain throne using glory-glory.co.uk mobile app
It was just the finishing today. Simples.