No excuses for that loss, we had 16 fecking corners and how many times did we test the keeper from them? Lamela and Kane both missed guilt edge chances and if it wasn't for Lloris our defensive record would not be as good as it is.
A couple of weeks ago we were top of the league in terms of scoring from set pieces (maybe still are?). Can you name the last manager and spurs team which were capable of doing it? I can't (however I support Spurs not for so long).
I don't say we have no problems with set pieces now. We have some and mainly it's because of Eriksen's delivery, which has regressed during the season, and the fact that opponents learned how we act on corners. Still we could score on two occasions yesterday (at least which I remember): after Toby's header in the beginning of the game and Eriksen's shot. I mean that our missed chances from corners yesterday isn't the main problem.
What worries me much more:
1. Toby's similar mistakes in the last two games in aireals. I can't understand why they're happenning, maybe it's because of lack of concentration.
2. We concede too many goals in the last 20 minutes during the season. Either it's physical fatique because of our high tempo pressing or again, lack of concentration plus some mentality problems of the young squad. Poch should try to sort it out ASAP.
3. Kane's overall play. Yes, he offers some good things to the build-up play, has good vision and at least one 100% goal scoring opportunity in each game which is, sadly, usually denied by the keeper or post, but I think everybody sees that his movement declined, he's not so tough when covering the ball as he used to be during 2nd part of last season, he often slows our pacy counter attacks or looses the ball in rather easy situations. I blame his physical conditions and the fact that we still haven't bought a fcking cover for him. I know Poch thinks (or at least says) that he's happy with the squad and we have Son/Njie who can play up top, but actually it's far from reality. They are not clear centre forwards and lack some skills for it. We also struggle badly with scoring against top teams this season because we don't have a direct attacking option from the bench which is capable of scoring on at least semi-regular basis. Also we miss Eriksen's goals from last season which used to bring us some points.
I also don't get people's self-consolation arguments that we have a very young unexperienced squad and they already overperfom, we lost at home to a mighty Leicester and it's ok, still we're fourth and have an enormous 5 point advantage from 9th place. Get a grip. That is the weekest EPL for many-many years and ALL EPL recognized leaders (maybe except Arsenal and still it's disputable) are perfoming below expectations. Leicester is a team which is half full of below than average players, their game plan is pretty simple and still they're sitting joint top. Our squad can become even more unexperienced/week next season if we fail to reach CL position this season, because there is strong probability the likes of Lloris, Vertonghen will decide to move forward. This looks like a never ending circle. Season after season we're given the chance to return to the CL and become stronger as a team and a football brand but we fail to do it. Yes, sometimes we're victims of pure unluck but when you can make some actions to overcome it and make next step and still don't do it, it's pitty to see.
Dear Mr. Levy. Please overpay, but buy a striker as an alternative to Kane or as 2nd striker who will suit Poch's vision of play or everything good he has done to our club and the style of our play will not result in club's overall progress. I really fear we're on the edge of struggling and one injury off from totally being fcked.
