I ended up watching full match highlights of them on a video I found on YouTube last night, just to run my eye over them. A few pointers to watch out for?
Excellent one touch understanding of who to play it to, where to move to and run off of to receive the ball back. We need to either commit to the tackle and press defensively or sit off of them and win the foot race with the 2nd ball when they have possession. They understand each other's games impressively for a young team. Most of their attack does seem to be in relatively wider positions and it seems to suit being played against a team with a high line defensively.
Secondly when the opposition (I watched Ajax vs Standard Liege 2nd leg FYI) has possession and is trying to build out from the back they press remarkably well but commit risk due to this. We need to be sharp knowing we can't dwell on the ball. After watching the game I think the key player for us is Sissoko. If we can get past that initial wave of them swarming the ball and the anticipated next pass they see, to leave gaps. The only issue then however is what we do with that advantage.
It's worth noting that the 1st leg vs Standard Liege was 2-2 so they can be loose in their defensive duties due to their aggressive behaviours. They very much remind of of the first Poch era where we pressed the life out of teams at WHL. The difference is we had a brute ball carrier whereas they have De Jong.
Sissoko being fit is key for me. Defensively get Wanyama sticking to De Jong like glue and get Sissoko helping out our defense for any late runs from deep. With the ball his transitional play will be key. This can't be a ding dong battle as we have limited firepower so anyone going can't expect a slugfest. It will be a fascinating game where we really have to respect what they are capable of. A professional display more important than a stellar one is how I saw it when identifying areas in their patterns last night.
Keep tight to them but have a spare man protecting should they win that first ball and run off of us. This to me is the key with no Kane & Son and with Dele seemingly struggling to be the man we know he can be in a Tottenham shirt. A clean sheet is as big as a goal or two and should be treated as such.
Excellent one touch understanding of who to play it to, where to move to and run off of to receive the ball back. We need to either commit to the tackle and press defensively or sit off of them and win the foot race with the 2nd ball when they have possession. They understand each other's games impressively for a young team. Most of their attack does seem to be in relatively wider positions and it seems to suit being played against a team with a high line defensively.
Secondly when the opposition (I watched Ajax vs Standard Liege 2nd leg FYI) has possession and is trying to build out from the back they press remarkably well but commit risk due to this. We need to be sharp knowing we can't dwell on the ball. After watching the game I think the key player for us is Sissoko. If we can get past that initial wave of them swarming the ball and the anticipated next pass they see, to leave gaps. The only issue then however is what we do with that advantage.
It's worth noting that the 1st leg vs Standard Liege was 2-2 so they can be loose in their defensive duties due to their aggressive behaviours. They very much remind of of the first Poch era where we pressed the life out of teams at WHL. The difference is we had a brute ball carrier whereas they have De Jong.
Sissoko being fit is key for me. Defensively get Wanyama sticking to De Jong like glue and get Sissoko helping out our defense for any late runs from deep. With the ball his transitional play will be key. This can't be a ding dong battle as we have limited firepower so anyone going can't expect a slugfest. It will be a fascinating game where we really have to respect what they are capable of. A professional display more important than a stellar one is how I saw it when identifying areas in their patterns last night.
Keep tight to them but have a spare man protecting should they win that first ball and run off of us. This to me is the key with no Kane & Son and with Dele seemingly struggling to be the man we know he can be in a Tottenham shirt. A clean sheet is as big as a goal or two and should be treated as such.
