Roberto De Zerbi *OFFICIAL*

[DubaiSpur]

Now he's deservedly under the microscope. Terrible lineup, terrible subs, terrible result.

He's been backed more than any manager in Spurs history. He has to demonstrate that he's worth it, and boy has he started off poorly.

 

[Zavod 311]

Not sure Gray as captain makes sense either. Has never established himself at this level to captain a team a PL team.

 

[SissokoWasGood (BoL)]

Not sure Gray as captain makes sense either. Has never established himself at this level to captain a team a PL team.

I agree with this. The performance today had the feeling of one without our top two captains on the pitch, and I’m not sure Gray is the guy to lay into the team when they need a kick in the arse like today.

This was a weird, disjointed performance and I think it needed some leadership to get people focused and pulling in the same direction. Otherwise it’s just a bunch of new players all trying to get to know each other, and no one really knows who does what.

 

[thfcsteff]

Now he's deservedly under the microscope. Terrible lineup, terrible subs, terrible result.

He's been backed more than any manager in Spurs history. He has to demonstrate that he's worth it, and boy has he started off poorly.

What would you have done subs-wise?

 

[DubaiSpur]

What would you have done subs-wise?

Put Danso on and switched to a back three with Fernandes and Tonali in the pivot, Tel and Rich up top, Maddison in behind. Throw on Solanke for Tel at the 60' mark if we need even more physical presence.

Danso on means we possibly don't concede that silly third, or look so weak defending headers all game long. Rich and Solanke up top should win a few. It's all about winning the physical battles vs Brentford.

 

[Kandi1977]

Put Danso on and switched to a back three with Fernandes and Tonali in the pivot, Tel and Rich up top, Maddison in behind. Throw on Solanke for Tel at the 60' mark if we need even more physical presence.

Danso on means we possibly don't concede that silly third, or look so weak defending headers all game long. Rich and Solanke up top should win a few. It's all about winning the physical battles vs Brentford.

3 out of our 4 main CB's are absolutely useless in the air. It will almost certainly haunt us all season.

 

[thfcsteff]

Put Danso on and switched to a back three with Fernandes and Tonali in the pivot, Tel and Rich up top, Maddison in behind. Throw on Solanke for Tel at the 60' mark if we need even more physical presence.

Danso on means we possibly don't concede that silly third, or look so weak defending headers all game long. Rich and Solanke up top should win a few. It's all about winning the physical battles vs Brentford.

Got it.
I personally think with the lack of endeavor, had he gone to a back three it'd have been even worse but I get what you're saying...

That we are in a place where people are suggesting we need to start Danso is worrying. He's a good player. We should be expecting better. RDZ wants passers back there, but can those passers defend?

 

[fernadez]

Got it.
I personally think with the lack of endeavor, had he gone to a back three it'd have been even worse but I get what you're saying...

That we are in a place where people are suggesting we need to start Danso is worrying. He's a good player. We should be expecting better. RDZ wants passers back there, but can those passers defend?

He should be starting on merit. There's no reason for Senesi to start over him. He's proven himself as our best defender and playing him keeps some sort of continuity in a back line that was brand new.

 

[Baleforce]

Got it.
I personally think with the lack of endeavor, had he gone to a back three it'd have been even worse but I get what you're saying...

That we are in a place where people are suggesting we need to start Danso is worrying. He's a good player. We should be expecting better. RDZ wants passers back there, but can those passers defend?

he's our best defender

I think he's one of the best defenders in the league

it's worrying he's not the first name on the team sheet for me, I question WTF the manager is thinking

 

[DubaiSpur]

Ye

Got it.
I personally think with the lack of endeavor, had he gone to a back three it'd have been even worse but I get what you're saying...

That we are in a place where people are suggesting we need to start Danso is worrying. He's a good player. We should be expecting better. RDZ wants passers back there, but can those passers defend?

Yeah, I hear you mate. Personally it's been a worry with me for a while now. Think we lack physicality across that backline, and it will hurt us this season unless VdV somehow learns to win a header every now and then.

The weakest possible combo is Porro-van Hecke-Senesi-Robertson. Short, not especially pacy full backs, two passing center-backs without pace or physicality. Somewhat alarmingly, that's also the likely combo for many matches given VdV and Udogie's fitness woes. And given Kinsky isn't a big lad for a goalie, it accentuates the problem of aerial threat.

Next season, if de Zerbi is still around and wants to continue with this, we need to rethink this. Either get a physically competitive left-back or a tall goalie who can dominate the box in the absence of strong defenders.

 

[Bishop]

He should be starting on merit. There's no reason for Senesi to start over him. He's proven himself as our best defender and playing him keeps some sort of continuity in a back line that was brand new.

It's a balance thing, Senesi is left sided, both Danso and JPVH are right sided, Danso can play either side but he's definetly stronger on the right.

Tbh as much as the defense suffered today I think the midfield was a bigger issue. If we had had the world best defense it would have still been under constant pressure it would have just coped better but that wouldn't have addressed the cause of the problem. Our midfield was disjointed and non existent.

If a midfield can neither gain or maintain possession then it doesn't matter matter the quality of the defenders, they will be called upon to do too much work as they were today. The midfield is always the heart of all things, you can't attack with no midfield nor can you defend and that's what happened to us today imo. 2nd half with the rejig it looked better even though by then it was too late.