OMT ** Tottenham Hotspur v Monaco ** 22/10/25.

[DeanoAustin]

The media are some shower of brick stirrers aren't they? I see the BBC have a page dedicated to Frank's start at Spurs. They are trying to get people to text them and have led with "The only English team not to win in matchday three of the Champions League."

I mean, okay, that's a fact but it's also a statistical coincidence and it's just trying to rile people up. A draw away to Monaco is a very good result - the performance left a lot to be desired admittedly. Trying to make it sound like we've been worse than all the other English sides and should be embarrassed we didn't win is just brick stirring. Really, really poor from the BBC IMO.

Frank deserves two years minimum barring a disaster and needs space and time to implement whatever vision he has. No wonder managers are under so much pressure these days - brick like this will have Frank on the back foot quickly.

 

[Welshspur60]

We have Palinha, a DM then several not really attacking/creative, not really defensive options.

I was disappointed that we renewed Bentancurs contract.

Yes Bents had done nothing to deserve a pay rise and a new contract. Baffling really.

 

[metalgear]

Honestly. Our midfield is vastly over rated

We've got Sarr/Berg/Gray who are potential

Paul who is the most consistent we have

Bent is just inconsistent

I'd bin 2 of them plus Biss

i think its because sarr who has ample exposure and while his development though positive, it is inching forward, not making the great strides necessary for bentancur who seems unable to hit his pre-injury heights and biss who has gone backwards (and now missing).

 

[SteveAWOL]

Like most managers, he needs time, 2 seasons minimal unless he does something drastically wrong.

Some are rightly criticizing the style based on current, thats fine, some are clearly churning just negativity and or an agenda

Yup, considering our PL form over the past 24 months is worse than the likes of ManUre and Everton then we can hardly expect to be playing champagne football within weeks of changing manager whilst our 2 most creative attackers are out long term and the 2nd choice signing we hope might become our new #10 is a youngster who’s still getting used to his new surroundings.

 

[afsoc4life]

I think Bissouma needs to be given a go in that midfield if he is still at the club.

 

[Bishop]

I'd like to see Gray and Palhinha deep.

That might be the better option. I don't really see Bergvall as suited, he doesn't have the passing range. Gray gas shown some decent vision, and he has better defensive qualities so maybe he's the guy who should get a go. Him or Sarr for me with Bergvall as a 3rd option from the bench.

 

[Mikey10]

I think Bissouma needs to be given a go in that midfield if he is still at the club.

Has had more than enough chances onfield and off. Should be out the door in January - the problem will be getting a buyer.

 

[HarryBreadbap]

I really think that people aren’t criticising a solid point away; from a coaching staff that are new in post. I think most are criticising a style that is really plain to see.

Our offence was a deep six, and a high 4, with a huge gap in the middle, and there was literally no plan to get the ball to the front 4 other than a hoof to Kudus or maybe Richy. And that might be fine if not for the fact we were saved by Vicario tonight, it wasn’t like we were actually solid or shut them out in any meaningful way.

We’ve had ‘turgid’ before, where it’s looked like possession for possession’s sake. And we’ve had Santini style bus parking. This isn’t that. And there’s definitely spells where it looks quite good. But it’s hard to get away from the fact that this is a feature of Frank’s decisions. I don’t think it’s a bug that is worked out with more time. He’s choosing that 6 deep 4 up shape. He’s choosing to play Bentancur and Palinha and having them make sideways passes. This can be changed with different selections and different instructions. But it’s definitely what he wants.

I think a couple of things about this; first is that in some ways, this is very much the league this season. Duels. Set pieces. Direct play. So he’s on trend. But I would say other good teams are exploiting set pieces while still having something of a possession game, which we are just not demonstrating whatsoever right now.

So that brings me to, maybe there is a method in this for Frank in that he is deliberately trying to create a solid identity to almost counteract what the players would have had as a self image last season of conceding more goals. I don’t believe it is ‘fix the foundations and eventually the intricate attacking play comes’, because he could implement more intricate play right now if he wanted to. But if he is establishing a culture of being solid and hard to beat, so that the players have that self image; and it’s then part of the Tottenham culture, I sort of get it. Some teams get taken over by new managers but retain the good and bad traits that are the consequences of the previous regime’s leadership. Slot at Liverpool is probably an example of retaining a lot of positive Klopp traits. And if Frank feels he needs to rid the squad of a self image that would consider conceding reasonable as long as we score many more, I can see why he’d want to change that mentality and have them motivated a different way.

I’d be curious to know when he thinks the right time is to make the shift to better attacking play. Because we aren’t Brentford and it shouldn’t take that long. And we’re sort of getting results. But we could have easily lost this game, and we’re dropping a lot of points at home.

So in summary, I don’t think it’s suddenly going to click into place, as if it just takes time, because it’s very obvious that what we’re seeing is deliberate. My question is when, if ever, is Frank going to choose to evolve the style?

"I really think that people aren’t criticising a solid point away"

Vicario was the MOM

He set a record shared by just four other keepers in the history of the CL, for making eight saves, in a CL game and still not conceding a goal.

"solid away point" is stretching anyone's imagination.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

"I really think that people aren’t criticising a solid point away"

Vicario was the MOM

He set a record shared by just four other keepers in the history of the CL, for making eight saves, in a CL game and still not conceding a goal.

"solid away point" is stretching anyone's imagination.

I mean if you look to the next paragraph I pretty much agree with you. I was making a point about how in general it’s not about last night, it’s about a style that is plain for everyone to see. It’s intentional. That’s where the critique is coming from.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

How about when we're not relying on young, inexperienced players throughout the team. We didn't play well away, got a point.

Confidence is low. But main thing is the chemistry is missing atm. Odobert came out and played well in the opening 20. But the support and patterns of play around him weren't there. Strangers still. Frank is setting us up to be direct for Odobert to cross the ball into the box and for us to score. But at times, he needs more support - someone to pass and run and get the ball back again for example. Numerous times we lack a bit of guile in the midfield build up. We are trying to be direct, which is great, but there needs to be a plan B, where players get a bit closer and allow some more build up. We can still be direct, just when the direct cross isn't on, we should keep the forward momentum with closer support. That chemistry to play off other players in the build up is lacking a bit.

This isn't suprising as its a young young team. We lack someone like Maddison to knit and support, play 1-2s. Bergval tried to put his foot on the ball but was dispossessed. So we are work in progress, who'd have thought it!

Fair points. I just personally don’t think that the hat we’re seeing is because we have young players upfront. We’re intentionally isolating them.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Fair points. I just personally don’t think that the hat we’re seeing is because we have young players upfront. We’re intentionally isolating them.

It’s not just young players (but you wouldn’t expect them to be polished and finished articles) it is also a new side and way of playing which takes time to bed in.

We looked better with Mauni on, hopefullly he can contribute now. A goal would have changed the game. Odobert getting a bit more link up and support (whether from Mauni, or Kulu, Maddison or Bentancur in the future would help). We didn’t look like a cohesive team. And whilst we try to break quickly we do need a back up way of playing when that doesn’t work. In those instances we need players getting closer and providing easier passes. They might not be goal scoring openings (which is what franks wants) but can open up space and allow us to get some rhythm. In some games where the opposition press is effective we need to have more guile - or get better at breaking at speed.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Fair points. I just personally don’t think that the hat we’re seeing is because we have young players upfront. We’re intentionally isolating them.

It’s tinkle poor tactics
Hence the big hole in midfield leaving everyone isolated

 

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

"I really think that people aren’t criticising a solid point away"

Vicario was the MOM

He set a record shared by just four other keepers in the history of the CL, for making eight saves, in a CL game and still not conceding a goal.

"solid away point" is stretching anyone's imagination.

Don't bad for an alleged poor keeper.

 

[thfcsteff]

Fair points. I just personally don’t think that the hat we’re seeing is because we have young players upfront. We’re intentionally isolating them.

This!!!
One thing Muani did last night was create opportunity for himself. He is a big guy and smart, with Inspector Gadget legs that seem to be able to snake in and 'nick' the ball. Right now, given that we are not progressing the ball through the middle, he has to start.
But your point cannot be over-emphasised enough. We are isolating our front three/four and seem intent in a system which demands constant cycling left to right/right to left until we can 'sling one in the box'.

 

[thfcsteff]

How about when we're not relying on young, inexperienced players throughout the team. We didn't play well away, got a point.

Confidence is low. But main thing is the chemistry is missing atm. Odobert came out and played well in the opening 20. But the support and patterns of play around him weren't there. Strangers still. Frank is setting us up to be direct for Odobert to cross the ball into the box and for us to score. But at times, he needs more support - someone to pass and run and get the ball back again for example. Numerous times we lack a bit of guile in the midfield build up. We are trying to be direct, which is great, but there needs to be a plan B, where players get a bit closer and allow some more build up. We can still be direct, just when the direct cross isn't on, we should keep the forward momentum with closer support. That chemistry to play off other players in the build up is lacking a bit.

This isn't suprising as its a young young team. We lack someone like Maddison to knit and support, play 1-2s. Bergval tried to put his foot on the ball but was dispossessed. So we are work in progress, who'd have thought it!

Watch Simons when he is playing with Odobert. Against Villa there were several occasions where he is moving into half spaces as Odobert is on the ball yet the pass does not come because Odobert simply holds onto it too long/tries to beat a man/ends up having to go backwards. This is absolutely chemistry to an extent, and players pick up the styles of others quickly. We are not utilizing Xavi properly.

We are a work in progress, agreed. The fear is that when we have players back and have bedded in, we will still be playing the same style i.e. crosses for chances. I don't think that is a sustainable model for success, especially at this club.

 

[Kandi1977]

The media are some shower of brick stirrers aren't they? I see the BBC have a page dedicated to Frank's start at Spurs. They are trying to get people to text them and have led with "The only English team not to win in matchday three of the Champions League."

I mean, okay, that's a fact but it's also a statistical coincidence and it's just trying to rile people up. A draw away to Monaco is a very good result - the performance left a lot to be desired admittedly. Trying to make it sound like we've been worse than all the other English sides and should be embarrassed we didn't win is just brick stirring. Really, really poor from the BBC IMO.

Frank deserves two years minimum barring a disaster and needs space and time to implement whatever vision he has. No wonder managers are under so much pressure these days - brick like this will have Frank on the back foot quickly.

Did they have a similar article when City only got a draw there less than a month ago?

 

[afsoc4life]

Has had more than enough chances onfield and off. Should be out the door in January - the problem will be getting a buyer.

I don't agree.

 

[Jordinho]

Has had more than enough chances onfield and off. Should be out the door in January - the problem will be getting a buyer.

He's just had surgery. I expect him to not get fit before the window has closed.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

This!!!
One thing Muani did last night was create opportunity for himself. He is a big guy and smart, with Inspector Gadget legs that seem to be able to snake in and 'nick' the ball. Right now, given that we are not progressing the ball through the middle, he has to start.
But your point cannot be over-emphasised enough. We are isolating our front three/four and seem intent in a system which demands constant cycling left to right/right to left until we can 'sling one in the box'.

He will be a great fit when he gets up to speed

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

It’s tinkle poor tactics
Hence the big hole in midfield leaving everyone isolated

View attachment 20659

This is exactly what I’m talking about with the deep 6 and the high 4. It’s simply not chemistry, inexperience or anything other than the front 4 are totally isolated and we have to hit them with direct balls.

Would Kolo and Solanke help us in this system? Absolutely. Does it inspire confidence that this is what we’re doing, seemingly as our primary offensive tactic? It doesn’t for me.

Even against Villarreal at home, the shape was different because it almost looked like a 4-1-5. In theory it’s an adaptation to take more of a risk because we’re favoured to win. But the primary way of moving forward was to go direct. It’s frankly making Xavi a bit of wasted selection at the moment. I see why he didn’t start last night with the way we intended to set up.