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We've gone forwards
- Thread starter White Van Jan
- Start date
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If you have time read this article, take a breath and then i think we can all see where Poch is coming from in his post match comments yesterday.
Pochettino Has Mastered the Process. A Prize, Any Prize, Still Eludes Him.
Pochettino Has Mastered the Process. A Prize, Any Prize, Still Eludes Him.
Poch is an absolute ledge for how he has transformed the team, and to be having these discussions (semi finals, CL) is better than not. The step into top four is done, we’re always in the mix now. The next step into real challengers is another step that requires different resources. It requires wedge for wages. We spend in the tier below world class, that has a massive impact on retention and transfer targets.
What worries me is that tactically we come up short sometimes and when it counts. I know you won’t win all the time but some of the systems and patterns of play we try to enforce just allow for teams to sit in and counter. We massively struggle breaking teams down, as we don’t cross huge amounts, and trying to play through lines when it’s so tight is difficult even for Barca. Harry Kane was just stood in between Jones and Smalling yesterday as the ball went from side to side, not moving. He could have dropped off or rotated with someone else to at least move the defence and midfield around to create space for others.
Haven’t got my pro licence and know it’s not as easy as that but at least try and make space if you’re going to play like that. Play in front of a team then they don’t have to do anything.
What worries me is that tactically we come up short sometimes and when it counts. I know you won’t win all the time but some of the systems and patterns of play we try to enforce just allow for teams to sit in and counter. We massively struggle breaking teams down, as we don’t cross huge amounts, and trying to play through lines when it’s so tight is difficult even for Barca. Harry Kane was just stood in between Jones and Smalling yesterday as the ball went from side to side, not moving. He could have dropped off or rotated with someone else to at least move the defence and midfield around to create space for others.
Haven’t got my pro licence and know it’s not as easy as that but at least try and make space if you’re going to play like that. Play in front of a team then they don’t have to do anything.
I do think we've gone forward. But the problem is every player is a year older. Losing our best players harms our potential and strengthens a rival at the same time. So the question is who do we lose this summer and does our progress balance that as a net positive or not?
Winning a trophy proves progress in a tangible way and convinces players to stay. I worry that failing to win trophies, especially in the late stages, has the opposite effect.
Winning a trophy proves progress in a tangible way and convinces players to stay. I worry that failing to win trophies, especially in the late stages, has the opposite effect.
Top post
The bits I high lighted are, I believe, linked. As Harry knows they're not going to cross, he doesn't make a run.
It amazes me just how little we cross the ball from wide areas (when beyond the 18yd box). Both sets of fullbacks bust a gut to get up field, get the ball and then stop,turn and pass it backwards.
If any one can post the stats to goals scored from crosses, compared to other teams, I'd be interested to see it.
Excellent post. Agree.
Especially impressive that we have improved when you think of the players we've lost, effectively Walker, Rose and Toby. Players like Eriksen and Jan have continued to evolve, and have needed to in order to offset the losses, and I actually think our experience/mentality has improved despite not winning yesterday. The test of this will be seen in our form between now and the end of the season.
Edit: After writing this and thinking about our side last season with Walker and Rose in it, I'm less sure we've improved. But I think the points in the opening post are very valid and at the least we've consolidated which is a good achievement considering losing players.
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No but really it would nearly be impossible under the current climate .The league does not lie. Dress it up what ever you like but the weakness from wing back positions has held us back . Others strengthen with gamechangers we don't.
When the others go they wont' be replaced by the same quality on average . A lot of uncertainty in the next few years.
When the others go they wont' be replaced by the same quality on average . A lot of uncertainty in the next few years.
Even if we had scraped a late winner, I'd still have serious doubt about beating Chelski.
I agree Spurs have gone forward. Tottenham were hovering from 2nd to 4th most of the season and so long as we don't now fall apart we should keep "Chavs" out of Champions League.
You also have to take into account the FA and the media are against Spurs - the refereeing Tottenham get is always hostile - never get a 'dive' unlike almost every team in the PL.
Chavs and Woolwich have a "force-field" and constantly fall over to get decisions. It's corrupt because the media controlled by Sky are trying to 'fix' the league and Spurs have resisted all the rubbish dished out to them and the team.
I admire the Spurs players mostly, who try their best with zero protection, no big calls in their favour and many against (look at that dive given to Brighton which the Daily Mirror said was a "stonewall penalty"). Remember Cheslea Alonso stamped the back of Shane Long's calf and Mike Dean did nothing and they said he would be done by video later but it never happened, another cover-up and the media said nothing about that.
So while everyone is saying Russia is doing all these bad things around the world, Abramovich is given preferencial treatment in the English league, while an almost English team in Spurs is struggling to get a decent ref, week in week out.
My only criticism is playing Vorm and he should never play in important games. I think Poch is weak there and you have to be tougher to get results. Had Vorm played instead of Lloris in the league Tottenham would be in the bottom half.
Any glory-hunters should find another club if your view is so shallow and short-sighted. Spurs on their day play wonderful football with no diving against 12 men and are in the top four. That's fantastic!
You also have to take into account the FA and the media are against Spurs - the refereeing Tottenham get is always hostile - never get a 'dive' unlike almost every team in the PL.
Chavs and Woolwich have a "force-field" and constantly fall over to get decisions. It's corrupt because the media controlled by Sky are trying to 'fix' the league and Spurs have resisted all the rubbish dished out to them and the team.
I admire the Spurs players mostly, who try their best with zero protection, no big calls in their favour and many against (look at that dive given to Brighton which the Daily Mirror said was a "stonewall penalty"). Remember Cheslea Alonso stamped the back of Shane Long's calf and Mike Dean did nothing and they said he would be done by video later but it never happened, another cover-up and the media said nothing about that.
So while everyone is saying Russia is doing all these bad things around the world, Abramovich is given preferencial treatment in the English league, while an almost English team in Spurs is struggling to get a decent ref, week in week out.
My only criticism is playing Vorm and he should never play in important games. I think Poch is weak there and you have to be tougher to get results. Had Vorm played instead of Lloris in the league Tottenham would be in the bottom half.
Any glory-hunters should find another club if your view is so shallow and short-sighted. Spurs on their day play wonderful football with no diving against 12 men and are in the top four. That's fantastic!