***OMT - Tottenham vs Galatasaray***

[Bishop]

That’s exactly how it sounded on the radio
Never heard certain players mentioned unless it was them losing it or winning a free kick
Betgvall, Maddison and son were the main missing men (I didn’t see it at all)
The guys on the radio didn’t get the changes but in my head it was a 4-2-3-1 set up

Bergvall wasn't missing when we had possession, he had lots of touches just 99% of them were terrible. He was getting all the basics wrong, easy passes either under hit or completely wayward and then out out possession he was a ghost as was Maddison. Neither could get near any of the Galatasary players.

Son and Johnson were ghosts, Son just coughing the ball up constantly. Other than nicely weighted pass for the goal Johnson might as well have not been on the pitch, a literal ghost.

Porro was awful, his passing really uncharacteristically let him down. He couldn't pass 5 yards, no exaggeration. It was like Sissoko was wearing a Porro mask.

The defence got pulled all over the place partially them not tracking runners or anticipating where balls might go but a lot of the pressure came from our complete inability to pass more than two times in a row.

2nd half once we went down to 10 men along with the changes we looked decent and a lot more composed. Regarding the sending off Lankshear looked eager but was let down by his wide men being absent or useless. He himself was doing pretty well individually.

 

[Bishop]

No point throwing young players in and then trying to play another way.
They need to learn the system, this was a good opportunity.

But the issue wasn't the young players per se. Yes Bergvall was poor, but equally so were Son, Maddison, Johnson, Dragusin, Davies and Porro. If instead of the youngsters we had starters in instead but the rest of the team played as poorly as they did today we would still have problems, massive ones.

 

[glasgowspur]

But the issue wasn't the young players per se. Yes Bergvall was poor, but equally so were Son, Maddison, Johnson, Dragusin, Davies and Porro. If instead of the youngsters we had starters in instead but the rest of the team played as poorly as they did today we would still have problems, massive ones.

Thought Davies was OK.
Totally agree, it wasn't the youngsters, I think this game will stand them in good stead for the future.
Gray was good, that lad will be a baller.

 

[Bishop]

I think there were some positives, we rallied with 10 men which wasn't the first time we have shown resilience in that situation.

Lankshear got a decent run out and hopefully the sending off doesn't effect a promising player. Biss was fantastic under so much pressure, but one man isn't enough. Forster was good in terms of saves, he really stopped it being a battering. Not great with his feet again but we know that. Gray had that fantastic spreading pass that led to the goal, shows when he's playing midfield he'll add verticality to our passing.

In the end we got away with okay result given how bad the performance was. Again not a terrible sign I guess.

 

[thfcsteff]

Bergvall wasn't missing when we had possession, he had lots of touches just 99% of them were terrible. He was getting all the basics wrong, easy passes either under hit or completely wayward and then out out possession he was a ghost as was Maddison. Neither could get near any of the Galatasary players.

For me, Bergvall tried and tried but just couldn't 'find' the rhythm of the game, repeatedly being just out of position or in the wrong areas to anticipate interceptions which -with a bit of calm- would've been routine. He gets a pass because he is learning on the job and that's quite a room. Maddison? Pathetic IMO. Just weak sauce.

Son and Johnson were ghosts, Son just coughing the ball up constantly. Other than nicely weighted pass for the goal Johnson might as well have not been on the pitch, a literal ghost.

Sonny still finding minutes in his legs, he was part of the move which led to the goal but a tough match for him. Brennan not helped whatsoever by the midfield.

Porro was awful, his passing really uncharacteristically let him down. He couldn't pass 5 yards, no exaggeration. It was like Sissoko was wearing a Porro mask.

He has to be knackered. I think if Spence had been in the squad we'd have seen a rotation. I was relieved he got through the match without injury.

The defence got pulled all over the place partially them not tracking runners or anticipating where balls might go but a lot of the pressure came from our complete inability to pass more than two times in a row.

Again, in that first half where was our midfield? Only the hugely impressive Bissouma was showing up (and again, I thought he was excellent) but Madders = nowhere and Bergy as we've noted just not at the races. I think an awful lot of that half rests with Maddison. In an environment like that, get on the ball, show your quality in keeping it, draw some fouls, get the crowd frustrated, use your feckin experience!!!!

2nd half once we went down to 10 men along with the changes we looked decent and a lot more composed. Regarding the sending off Lankshear looked eager but was let down by his wide men being absent or useless. He himself was doing pretty well individually.

Bentancur made a big difference, and once Maddison was off we were a different proposition. The first yellow on Lankshear was pathetic given how he'd been reffing the game all night. He is raw but he was there to score, arguable could've had another, and with tighter physical development (getting that core stronger so as he can hold players off using core/arse/thighs and not just chest/shoulders) he is going to be a player!

 

[thfcsteff]

Has Forster finished diving for that last shot yet?

 

[Bishop]

I think there were some positives, we rallied with 10 men which wasn't the first time we have shown resilience in that situation.

Lankshear got a decent run out and hopefully the sending off doesn't effect a promising player. Biss was fantastic under so much pressure, but one isn't enough. Forster was good in terms of saves, he really stopped it being a battering. Not great with his feet again but we know that. Gray had that fantastic spreading pass that led to the goal, shows when he's playing midfield he'll add verticality to our passing.

In the end we got away with okay result given how bad the performance was. Again not a terrible sign I guess.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Bergvall wasn't missing when we had possession, he had lots of touches just 99% of them were terrible. He was getting all the basics wrong, easy passes either under hit or completely wayward and then out out possession he was a ghost as was Maddison. Neither could get near any of the Galatasary players.

Son and Johnson were ghosts, Son just coughing the ball up constantly. Other than nicely weighted pass for the goal Johnson might as well have not been on the pitch, a literal ghost.

Porro was awful, his passing really uncharacteristically let him down. He couldn't pass 5 yards, no exaggeration. It was like Sissoko was wearing a Porro mask.

The defence got pulled all over the place partially them not tracking runners or anticipating where balls might go but a lot of the pressure came from our complete inability to pass more than two times in a row.

2nd half once we went down to 10 men along with the changes we looked decent and a lot more composed. Regarding the sending off Lankshear looked eager but was let down by his wide men being absent or useless. He himself was doing pretty well individually.

I’ve seen the goals and the sending off
Not sure how their guy wasn’t pulled back for his foul on Lankshear before he did the stupid thing to get his second yellow
On the radio most of the comment we’re about our defenders

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I think there were some positives, we rallied with 10 men which wasn't the first time we have shown resilience in that situation.

Lankshear got a decent run out and hopefully the sending off doesn't effect a promising player. Biss was fantastic under so much pressure, but one isn't enough. Forster was good in terms of saves, he really stopped it being a battering. Not great with his feet again but we know that. Gray had that fantastic spreading pass that led to the goal, shows when he's playing midfield he'll add verticality to our passing.

In the end we got away with okay result given how bad the performance was. Again not a terrible sign I guess.

Sounded like Forster was making saves he didn’t know much about (his legs when diving the other way) but they were saves nine the less
Lankshear just has it for me. He will score goals and the finish was easy but we have seen players miss those chances before
The changes at half time to stiffen midfield are how we should start every away game. 2 callable real CMs and one 10
It will give us a foothold much more than what we get playing with 2 10s

 

[djp82]

I thought he looked really good in pre season, and have high expectations of the lad, but he hasnt really hit the ground running like Gray has for instance.

So did I. But sadly he’s looked off it. Probably stop start nature of his season and little game time.

 

[Mikey10]

He will prioritise games when he needs too imo
It’s how he wins trophies
Today was not a game to prioritise over Sunday because we done a lot of hard work previously
That’s great management and something you can do because of the new format

Again, it wasn’t about playing a weakened line-up or prioritisation for me. It was about asking that line-up to play that way in those circumstances.

Simulations suggest 16 points is required to guarantee top 8.
We need 2 wins and a draw from the last 4 games. Not much wiggle room left.

I think we’re all being slightly blasé about qualification. We’re not there yet.

Has Forster finished diving for that last shot yet?

To be fair, the scoreline would have looked a lot worse without 3 or 4 good saves that he made.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Again, it wasn’t about line-ups and prioritisation for me. It was about asking that line-up to play that way in those circumstances.

I think we’re all being slightly blasé about qualification. We’re not there yet.

To be fair, the scoreline would have looked a lot worse without 3 or 4 good saves that he made.

But it’s the only way they are being coached to play
Some excel at it and others don’t
But… i still think we can see that the formation doesn’t give the platform needed to play this way away from home. That’s the kicker for everything IMO

 

[thfcsteff]

To be fair, the scoreline would have looked a lot worse without 3 or 4 good saves that he made.

You're right, I should probably look at what he did do versus what he didn't...but my word I was diving onto my living room floor to save that Oshiman shot and got down faster to it than he did (only to realise the ball was on the telly!!!!!!)

 

[Mikey10]

But it’s the only way they are being coached to play
Some excel at it and others don’t
But… i still think we can see that the formation doesn’t give the platform needed to play this way away from home. That’s the kicker for everything IMO

I feel we will need to learn to be much more pragmatic at times away from home (not least in places like Galatasary) if we are going to be successful.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I feel we will need to learn to be much more pragmatic at times away from home (not least in places like Galatasary) if we are going to be successful.

But that’s structural in the setup for me, not the way we play. Things like passing out from the back should always be the set up if that’s how we okay at home by comparison.
Having the midfield change so we’re more 4-2-1-3
Rather than 4-1-2-3 is the big thing
It’s why Sarr is key and also Bentacur too and they are very good at ball retention and also moving with the ball. Things that are harder to do away from home

 

[thfcsteff]

I think if we can keep being brave in approach, with upgrades and the core of this side growing together, we could well end up dominating matches. Clearly we were let down today by both injuries/selection issues and a couple not showing up who you'd have expected to. But look how close we got to getting something...

 

[Mikey10]

But that’s structural in the setup for me, not the way we play. Things like passing out from the back should always be the set up if that’s how we okay at home by comparison.
Having the midfield change so we’re more 4-2-1-3
Rather than 4-1-2-3 is the big thing
It’s why Sarr is key and also Bentacur too and they are very good at ball retention and also moving with the ball. Things that are harder to do away from home

There’s a lot of truth in that. I still think we need to learn the skill of digging in sometimes, though, and keeping it really simple with minimal risks. Unlikely to happen with Ange, I know, and I admire that in a way - but I think it will always eventually cost us over the full course of any competition.

I could definitely be wrong though.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

There’s a lot of truth in that. I still think we need to learn the skill of digging in sometimes, though, and keeping it really simple with minimal risks. Unlikely to happen with Ange, I know, and I admire that in a way - but I think it will always eventually cost us over the full course of any competition.

I could definitely be wrong though.

You need to take risks in cup football
Our previous manager had us down to ten men in a CL knock out and brought on a centre back so that we were defensively strong whilst losing
And I dont judge the way we play on games like today when we make so many changes to the team

 

[Mikey10]

You need to take risks in cup football
Our previous manager had us down to ten men in a CL knock out and brought on a centre back so that we were defensively strong whilst losing
And I dont judge the way we play on games like today when we make so many changes to the team

Agreed, you need to take risks - at times. In the same way that you need to play pragmatically - at times. I’m not advocating playing in a complete defensive way, a la Conte or Mourinho; but we need to learn to employ a bit of that at times.

 

[Batspur]

It wasn't the youngster fault, the problem was the more senior players.

And what was worrying is how sh*t we played. We should have had some resemblance of the ability to string two passes together without giving it away. Defend as a coherent unity, attack as one...

We showed nothing of this... It was just outright chaos... Even the starting 11 created nothing against Villa in the first half, and we looked just as bad against Palace.

There is something seriously wrong with our coaches and what they are training... Even with youngsters, I have never see Spurs so disorganised, sloppy, and chaotic.

It is seriously worrying...

I have no qualms against us losing if we gave it something, and on paper we had a strong team in theory.... But the manner of it all, not, just no, something is very wrong.

I don’t know mate. I get the larger concerns you say but today was a bad day at one of the most hostile offices they will face.

Technically you are right. We could have easily lost 7-2. We could also have drawn 3-3. But the experience garnered was priceless tonight.

We actually made the crowd go quiet after our second. With 10 men. Our first team would have won tonight. But we blooded a lot of players in that atmosphere. I take that as a win. Even if we didnt get any points.

Lets see what happens with Ipswich and our bouncebackability. I’d cut the team some slack tonight. The occasion got to some. and it’s obvious that Forster. Whilst an excellent keeper is not suited to Angeball at all.

Edit. The groan from the crowd when 7 mins extra time was held up showed me they knew they were holding on. Bit like us at home sometimes…most times.