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So where do Dier and Bentaleb slot in.As most players only managed 45 minutes instead of numbers I will just give my assessment in a few categories.
Standout players who I thought were very good: Kane, Alli, Carroll, Trippier, Rose
Played well better than average: Winks, Onomah, Wimmer
Meh-Average: Dembele, Eriksen, Chadli, Fazio, Yedlin, Dier, Vertonghen, Alderwield, McGee, Vorm
Below par to poor : Davies, Walker, Coulthirst
Dont really understand the criticism for Dembele yesterday. Lost one tackle, was strong on the ball, basically always beated his man. Couldnt get the ball off him. Defensively much more encouraged than last season. I think he started on the wings, because we changed our system when the Allstars were attacking/pressing us.
Normal formation
Walker Alder Verts Ben
Dier Nabil
Mousa Eriksen Chadli
Harry
During defending
Walker Alder Verts Ben
Dier
Dembele Nabil
Eriksen Kane Chadli
From a 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3, with 3 defending midfielders. We conceded twice yes, but looked much more solid. Dier also often positioned himself between Alder and Verts - something you often see Bayern do. Its quite useful against deep lying opposition to "open" them up.
Big problem yesterday was service - again. If Eriksen doesnt step up, Pritchard will take over his place. He has pace and is even more effective on the wings if we counter-attack. Same goes with Chadli. They barely contributed to the game. I would use Chadli besides Kane in a 4-2-2-2.
The youngsters did a great job though. Alli, Caroll and Wimmer with some good actions.
So where do Dier and Bentaleb slot in.
I'd say Dire was not quite an anagram of himself. So slot him in Meh-Average
Below par to poor for Nabil?
How did we play Walker, Yedlin and Trippier?
subs unlimited subsHow did we play Walker, Yedlin and Trippier?
He has been played further up front though and hasn't outpowered, held onto & dribbled past players, made or scored goals. He played as an attacking right mid last night too. Perfect for cutting inside, jigging past a player and letting that exocet of a left foot shot off.He had to adapt. Mousa was a great offensive midfielder, who outpowered other players but kept holding onto the ball and dribbled past them. Now he plays in a deeper role and still tries to do same. It looks wierd when he does that so far off the penalty box.
You hit it spot on. Thats the trouble with Eriksen, Chadli and Dembele in those positions sometimes. Invariably the only one making runs is Kane as they all more likely to make a pass rather than receive one. Usually its to feet. There's not really much continuous forward movement from them.Really liked Alli, but I also thought Winks looked a good player last night. Liked the way he would get involved in the midfield and when the opportunity allowed he would burst forward and try create a chance for someone or try get on the end of a pass or cross. Reminds me of Scholes. Think he and Alli could make a real attacking CM pair in the future, although not sure of their defensive play yet.
He is the opposite of Paulinho - who would amble forward, ignore his team mates and the ball, hid behind opposing players so no one could pass to him and hover in the box hoping ball would come to him.
Dembele looked quite good, but he does not look a right winger. He kept drifting inside and looked to play a pass, which was good at times, however he never burst forward looking to receive the ball. When he plays there, Spurs become more narrow and don't stretch the defense with pace or width. Yedlin looks a better bet for the RW position but I'm not sure he is ready as I've not seen enough of him play yet.
That's true and Eriksen could do more to run not the space to receive one though.Eriksen and Kane have a great feel for each other. I really wouldn't read too much into it. I still think Eriksen only looks poor at times because the other players are too stagnate.
Eriksen is the guy who can unlock a defense, but if no one is making runs behind it's hard for him to pick out a pass.
I agree. Give the kid a chance. I remember when Harry was also shit, should fuck off back to Milwall, his level, and never be seen in a Spurs shirt.Why are people calling Shaq shit?
He might very well be not good enough but he had about 10 minutes last night and only saw the ball a few times. He skyed a shot so what? It happens ffs.
Wimmer, dare I say it, moved the ball quicker than Vertonghen too.
Duels?
2-1What was the score?
Absolutely! I know that there were a few good fans there, but it was actually worse than I thought going in. I fully expected a group of plastic fans, but they were just terrible and the PSG area I was sitting in wasn't any better.Its the fans I feel for, a lot of them are pure plastic who don't understand the first thing but the ones in the ground who did care were treated to a United side who showed up late the night before and looked knackered, a sad indictment of the way the world is now with these tours and all, I bet it put a few off spending so much money next time