***TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v Crystal Palace OMT***

[thfcsteff]

I think that would be a waste Steff. Eriksen is a very different player to Modric, he is far more offensive. By playing him deeper we would lose his goals for very little defensive gain imo.

I can absolutely see that point mate, but right now, we simply aren't seeing enough from him in games such as today. I would love to give it a try just to see if the extra space he'd get from a deeper position would allow him to dictate the game a bit more. But I absolutely agree it would be a gamble.

 

[Robspur12]

I can absolutely see that point mate, but right now, we simply aren't seeing enough from him in games such as today. I would love to give it a try just to see if the extra space he'd get from a deeper position would allow him to dictate the game a bit more. But I absolutely agree it would be a gamble.

Mate you can imagine the meltdown on this board if that gamble didn't pay off. Good to see you are supporting Poch.

 

[spurspinter1]

"It would also allow us to play Chadli or Lamela on the left, Kane in the hole and Lennon the right with Nobby up top"

I wish I had your positivity, and whilst I'm behind these players 100% in wanting them to do well obviously, but if that combination of talent is something to desperately yearn for it says a lot about where we're at now.

"Just imagine what we could do with such a line-up IF Walker and Rose/Yedlin were there!"

I did and I'm still unfortunately not excited by it. If we talk about these players when they're on form 100% smashing it simultaneously as a unit then sweet. But that's not the versions we're seeing regularly (apart from Kane against weaker opposition for the time being). I don't want to have to go in to specifics with each player so I'll hold back on that one for now

And obviously Poch is working hard to get us to do well, it's his job. But we don't know specifically what he is doing and just drawing from the output we're seeing on the pitch (as he's clearly stated he is the coach not the manager), it's pretty grim, it's not enjoyable and not to sound too doomsday-ish but we've had fortune to get many of the points we've had.

The crazy thing for me is that in games like today it is so **** right from the start, there's not even a 10 minute spell where everyone is busting a gut from the off, hitting the ground running. They can muster that much against Chelsea before capitulating but for teams like Crystal Palace it's just not a big deal I guess?

 

[milo]

That is where your argument falls flat on its face - trying to pass through a team playing massed defence is invariably fruitless unless you have real top quality players like Barca or Chelscum. We dont. If long words are too difficult for you to comprehend, how about crosses from width help pull teams out of shape. Simple enough to comprehend?

We have now tried for the best part of three seasons (less the back end of last season) to pass our way through teams - it just doest work for us, especially on a narrow pitch. How did we achieve our greatest success in recent times? Two pacy wingers stretching teams and causing havoc. It really aint rocket science. Football is a simple game and we need to get back to basics.

Out of interest, which team would you have us emulate?

 

[milo]

These are tough times in terms of instant glamour, but Poch is working very, very hard to reset this club properly. He is dispensing with the ****ers as best he can, and slowly building a reliable defense. Fazio and Verts are starting to click well. I personally support him fully.

One thing I would LOVE to see tried, is Eriksen working from a DEEPER role alongside Bentaleb. Yes, it could leave you a bit 'lightweight' on transitions, but the advantage would be getting a very creative player on the ball in deeper situations where can hopefully dictate some interesting situations. It would also allow us to play Chadli or Lamela on the left, Kane in the hole and Lennon the right with Nobby up top but interchanging with Kane. Bentaleb would certainly have a greater responsibility, but on transition I would expect the likes of Lennon to drop back quickly. For me, it would also allow Eriksen and Lamela to function together without getting into each other's spaces all the time. Just imagine what we could do with such a line-up IF Walker and Rose/Yedlin were there! It 'could' be a bit 'Ossie 94' but I'd love to see it tried myself!!!!!

I think that Eriksen needs to be able to impose himself on games more before he is worth trying deeper.

 

[scaramanga]

Just watching Motd. So far the first Saudi Sportswashing Machine goal against Chelsea came from a cross, two Stoke goals against Scum came from crosses, as did the QPR second goal.

So, of the 10 goals scored today in all games, four came from crosses. Not too shabby at all. Eat those stats.

And what do all those teams have in common?

 

[Kandi1977]

And what do all those teams have in common?

If you mean Saudi Sportswashing Machine, Stoke and QPR, the have all got striped jerseys...... Maybe that wasn't what you meant??? Another thing is that soon, ALL of them will be above us in the table.

 

[iggyfog]

"It would also allow us to play Chadli or Lamela on the left, Kane in the hole and Lennon the right with Nobby up top"

I wish I had your positivity, and whilst I'm behind these players 100% in wanting them to do well obviously, but if that combination of talent is something to desperately yearn for it says a lot about where we're at now.

"Just imagine what we could do with such a line-up IF Walker and Rose/Yedlin were there!"

I did and I'm still unfortunately not excited by it. If we talk about these players when they're on form 100% smashing it simultaneously as a unit then sweet. But that's not the versions we're seeing regularly (apart from Kane against weaker opposition for the time being). I don't want to have to go in to specifics with each player so I'll hold back on that one for now

And obviously Poch is working hard to get us to do well, it's his job. But we don't know specifically what he is doing and just drawing from the output we're seeing on the pitch (as he's clearly stated he is the coach not the manager), it's pretty grim, it's not enjoyable and not to sound too doomsday-ish but we've had fortune to get many of the points we've had.

The crazy thing for me is that in games like today it is so **** right from the start, there's not even a 10 minute spell where everyone is busting a gut from the off, hitting the ground running. They can muster that much against Chelsea before capitulating but for teams like Crystal Palace it's just not a big deal I guess?

One thing that I noticed during the game was that the Palace players all started the game and the half with sprint drills. Whilst our team wandered onto the pitch and high fived each other, the palace coaches had cones out and were getting their players fired up with some sprints. Maybe it had an effect, maybe it didn't - but this interested me.

This is the first though I have seriously started to doubt poch - I really didn't think Chadli was the answer to taking off Lamela.

 

[shaney]

The interesting thing is that a lot of those supporting Poch are the exact same ones who supported AVB blindly and the arguments for supporting him are almost word for word the same.

 

[shaney]

If you mean Saudi Sportswashing Machine, Stoke and QPR, the have all got striped jerseys...... Maybe that wasn't what you meant??? Another thing is that soon, ALL of them will be above us in the table.

The worst thing is, that as bad as we are at the moment, we are actually extremely lucky not to even be in the relegation zone. Thats how bad we are. Thats where we will be if Poch is allowed to stay. He is taking us one way.

 

[Baleforce]

I supported AVB (and still do), for very different reasons, I supported him because of what he did at Porto and what we did under him in his first season

I support Poch because he has only been here 5 minutes and many (including me at times when the frustration boils over) are expecting far too much from what is a distinctly average group of players, without the heroics of Lloris and the attitude of Kane I think we'd be in quite a bit of trouble

 

[Jordinho]

Nothing to do with players (other than when manager insist on playing an unsuited/under performing players)Just like our side suddenly didn't improve when we hired Harry over Ramos.

Over the last 3 season we have hired 3 vastly inexperienced managers and just like two inverted wingers, no matter what spin you want to put on it, it doesn't work.

Problem is we don't really have too many players that are performing, so this fabled first choice XI is a bit hard to put together. Some of the most senior players being bad fits/unwilling to adapt.

If we manage to do some business in January and by summer still look terrible, then there should be questions asked, but this season is about Poch evaluating the squad. He hasn't been watching us for years like we have as fans.

We are in tenth place, after FIFTEEN GAMES.

We are 5 points off third.

We are still involved in all cup competitions.

 

[Dorothy]

Of course the season is far from over but we have one of the worst home records in the League. WTF is that all about? What the team needs is stability and I just can't help but think that there is pressure to try to play 20 players in 11 spots. Was Lennon unfit? He looked good recently yet didn't start? Lamela starts instead and is then replaced by Chadli? Which of these players is more likely to provide the service that Kane and Soldado need? Too much contstant tinkering IMO. Of course strategy, tactics need to change and adapt but you have to surely have a concept of a starting 11 at this stage of the season.

There are of course no easy games these days. The League is better for that but we keep ****ing away opportunities. It doesn't matter we are x points from third. We should have dominated at home, taken 3 points, built on recent improvements and be up amongst it. Reality is that there are 5 teams between us and 4th and they are all playing better than us.

meh..

 

[Pirate55]

And what do all those teams have in common?

Nercastle beat Chelsea

Stoke beat Arsnal

Five goals scored against them

Right now, I would take that over the dross we are being served up.

 

[Pirate55]

Out of interest, which team would you have us emulate?

I would have us emulate the Spurs team of three years ago. Pace, power and goals galore = excitement and entertainment.

 

[Jordinho]

Home:

21 Chelsea
20
19 Man Utd
18 Swansea
17
16 Emirates Marketing Project, Southampton
15
14 Saudi Sportswashing Machine, QPR
13 West Ham
12 Arsenal, Liverpool
11
10 Tottenham, Stoke
9 Everton
8 Sunderland
7 Burnley, Crystal Palace, Leicester
6 Hull, West Brom,
5 Aston Villa
4
3
2
1
0

Away:

17 Emirates Marketing Project
16
15 Chelsea
14
13
12
11 Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Aston Villa
10 Southampton
9 Liverpool, Everton, Saudi Sportswashing Machine
8 Stoke, West Brom
7 Crystal Palace, Hull, Sunderland
6 Man Utd
5 Swansea, Burnley
4
3 Leicester
2
1
0 QPR

 

[Jordinho]

So far this season 17 out of 20 teams have looked terrible and **** and all the other bad words. What is it about us that means we should be different? Chelsea and City have cheated their way to the top and Southampton have had an easy run, a bit of luck and an established style of play (where did they get that from?).

 

[scaramanga]

I would have us emulate the Spurs team of three years ago. Pace, power and goals galore = excitement and entertainment.

Fantastic idea. I'll just pop down the shops and pick up a world class winger and midfielder.

If you wouldn't mind grabbing a world class defender I'd be grateful.

:ssg:

 

[scaramanga]

Nercastle beat Chelsea

Stoke beat Arsnal

Five goals scored against them

Right now, I would take that over the dross we are being served up.

You're lucky I'm in a patient mood as it means we can step through this at your pace.

The thing those teams have in common is that nobody parks the bus against them. That gives them the room (width-wise and in behind) to play a crossing game and for that crossing game to be effective.

Teams don't give us that space. We might be able to work it against City away, maybe Utd away too but everyone else defends deep against us and doesn't allow that form of attack.

 

[paxtonwolf]

The worst thing is, that as bad as we are at the moment, we are actually extremely lucky not to even be in the relegation zone. Thats how bad we are. Thats where we will be if Poch is allowed to stay. He is taking us one way.

Bang on the money. The Everton win and EL exploits are papering over a poor few weeks. We stole a point today to go with the 6 we got from Hull and Villa. We are very fortunate to be not sat on 14pts in 17th level with QPR