So out of curiosity, assuming Spurs set up how we do typically (4-2-3-1, possession, high press), you'd go for a Liverpool win?
The Spurs thread | 2016-2017 season | Serious thread - wummers/derailers will be threadbanned
- Thread starter baanke laal
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If you play high up the pitch I think we'll find it easier to create chances. It doesn't necessarily mean we will win but we seem to do better against sides that come out and play. Burnley had less than 20% possession on Saturday and managed a 2-0 win.
Yeah makes sense. I think that was some kind of record for lowest % of possession in a winning effort yeah? Though wasn't at least their first goal due primarily to a defensive blunder? A loose pass by Clyne maybe (I don't quite remember as I had it on another screen while I was watching Spurs)? I guess my point is that your defensive issues still don't seem to be fully corrected, regardless of the system the opposition plays.
Having said that, Spurs aren't exactly firing on all cylinders offensively to start the season and Vertonghen has looked a tad sluggish since returning from injury. We were able to keep a clean sheet with Vorm in goal, but that was against a pretty hopeless Palace attack. Should be a good match regardless. Looking forward to it.
Spurs will have a significantly better CB pairing than Chambers and Holding. So no you'll not get them even if they play open football.
Do you really believe this?Course he does mate.
Except for us winning, nothing would please me more than seeing Liverpool, City or Chelsea finish 15th, or thereabout
Yeah Burnley's win was a record because it was done with the lowest ball possession over 90 minutes (less than 20%). The defensive issues are still there. Individual errors still happen and we've conceded 45 goals in 31 league games under Klopp which needs to improve fast if we're ever going to progress. Offensively I think we're as good as anyone on our day but it wouldn't be hard for the likes of Kane, Eriksen and Alli (assuming he's back?) to exploit our backline. Mignolet has had five shots on his goal and has conceded five goals. You should be disappointed if Spurs don't score on Saturday.
Is Dembele available again? He had a very effective game against us at Anfield.
No, he's out for two more games unfortunately.
Yeah Spurs can comfortably go toe-to-toe with Liverpool if they want to play an attacking game. Although I'd agree Pochettino would be better off adopting a more conservative approach.
This is a clear case of mixing up cause and effect.
Burnley didn't beat you because they had 20% possession - they had 20% possession because they were beating you.
They found it pretty straight-forward to establish a 2 goal lead and then it was just about consolidation. The game was much more even until that point, in fact they probably shaded it.
No team should be scared of taking the game to Liverpool. That defence and midfield is anaemic. Spurs should relish going at it.
Maybe you're right, we'll see how the game on Saturday goes. I'd say it's quite rare for a Premier League side to have possession as low as that in a home game though, regardless of it being Burnley. For all we know the score could have been 0-0 and we would have still had possession largely in our favour. Even a draw at Burnley would be considered a poor result for a side with top four ambitions so it makes sense to assume we would have been the ones pushing for a win in that scenario.
Would you not say though that if Spurs over commit and leave themselves open to counter attack, we have the players in attacking areas to exploit that?
We were pretty awful on Saturday and I agree that the defence/midfield is easily got at if the first two games are anything to go by. We'll see if Spurs can exploit it. Kane's due a goal.
We'll beat Spurs comfortably. Or else I am off to find another sport.
They will battle with Everton and Liverpool for 5th & 6th respectively.
There are too many teams that can take points off all the top 4
There are too many teams that can take points off all the top 4
Bold statement considering your last result!
Not surprising coming from him. He's a known spurs hater.
Don't flatter yourself. I'm not interested enough in them to hate them.
Besides, I posted a positive comment on your ruggedness less than two weeks ago.
Besides, I posted a positive comment on your ruggedness less than two weeks ago.
If Spurs had Dembele available then I actually think they'd win quite comfortably, as it is it'll be a much tighter affair. Still think they'll probably win though.
Looks like we are close to selling both Mason and Bentaleb which will free up a bit of space in the squad for the likes of Winks and Onomah but also will give us some cash in the bank to bring in another player (hopefully a Dembele back-up).
Will be sad to see Mason and Bentaleb go but with Mason at least I know he probably is not at the level we need but with bentaleb he does have the ability and is still very young, seems a shame to let him go but there have been rumours about his attitude.
Will be sad to see Mason and Bentaleb go but with Mason at least I know he probably is not at the level we need but with bentaleb he does have the ability and is still very young, seems a shame to let him go but there have been rumours about his attitude.
Yep, I agree about Mason. I would rather Carroll and Chadli went before Mason. Carroll because he isn't as good as Mason, and Chadli because he has the ability but doesn't apply it. Mason may not be as talented as Chadli but he gives his all every time, Chadli doesn't. As for Bentaleb's attitude, it's more than just rumours. According to spurs ITK he gave Poch an ultimatum, "play me or I ask my agent to look at my options". I can imagine Poch's response. By the lack of clubs interested, it seems his "options" are not very good. I noticed something of an attitude with him a couple of seasons ago when he was playing regularly, watch his body language. I suspect with the "success" he was having at the time, i.e. regular in the spurs team, then playing for Algeria in World cup, then he was given a bumper contract, it all went to his head. He thought he had made it. I'm sure if he had knuckled down in training and deserved to be played, he would have been played. Maybe he thinks he's "made it" and so has a right to play, hence the ultimatum which is only ever going to get one answer.
Watching mason play ahead of you - who is just an awful premier league footballer - I'd do a bentaleb. I always rated him, his attitude doesn't fit poch though. He needs you to do everything for the team and bentaleb thought he'd done enough already, I guess. Hell be a success elsewhere, just a clash of personalities.
What's all this Zaha nonsense? He must be squad fluffer, surely. Very surprised with Spurs. I do think Poch was serious about getting a couple of players in. Latest links I've seen is hakan calhanoglu, he's definitely the calibre of player I'd thought you'd be going for, hope you lot get someone better than zaha in.
What's all this Zaha nonsense? He must be squad fluffer, surely. Very surprised with Spurs. I do think Poch was serious about getting a couple of players in. Latest links I've seen is hakan calhanoglu, he's definitely the calibre of player I'd thought you'd be going for, hope you lot get someone better than zaha in.
Not sure why Spurs are interested in Zaha, he's not a very good footballer. Uninspiring even if he is only a signing for the bench.
Stinks of an agent leaking stuff to the media to try and get his client a better contract to me.
BBC is reporting Spurs have already made a bid.
I'm not so sure mate, BBC don't usually report bids off of stuff like that.
Congratulations if your bid gets accepted.
Still find it hard to believe, especially since it's so out in the open which is very unlike any of our previous deals done while Poch has been manager. That said, if we do sign him then at least he gives us something we lack in the side which is pace and directness. I do think he has talent but he is inconsistent and does not have a good end product. Maybe Poch can improve him as a player and he could end up a good signing, bit uninspiring though if true.
Actually think Zaha is the kind of player they need. He's nothing special and certainly shouldn't start regularly but Spurs have no one similar in their squad. Direct, pacey, skillful, he'll provide a good 'plan B' option when they need a goal. They probably could have got a better, cheaper option from abroad but sometimes it's worth paying that bit extra for an established player in the league. His presence out wide helps create space for other players like Eriksen remember, so his worth will be greater than just what he offers on the ball.
Can anyone of the spurs folks give me their oppinion on Bentaleb? Can he cut it at Schalke?
Agreed, but the amount he gives the ball away or holds onto it too long, would surely counteract that?
Yes he can. He is very talented and was one of the mainstays of central midfield two years ago at only 20 years old. The only reason Poch is letting him go is attitude. Poch is ruthless, you don't tow the line....you're gone !!
Well said.
"Cringiest moments in football" thread needs a bump.
Anyway, fair group. They have a good chance at topping that group, to be honest. Surely they'll add to their squad though. Can't imagine they wouldn't look to strengthen the first XI.
Some harsh comments on Mason here I feel. He isn't that technically gifted but as a high energy, box to box midfielder I have thought he has usually done quite well. He seemed unfortunate that after his breakthrough season 2 years ago, he was immediately ditched in favour of Dier and Alli (who obviously did very well). I recall last season he scored a goal when given his chance, but injured himself in the process and that was practically the last we saw of him.
Surprised nobody better than Hull are in for him but think he would be a very good signing for them.
Surprised nobody better than Hull are in for him but think he would be a very good signing for them.
A tad harsh but he certainly hasn't shown the sort of form or quality that a team gunning for top 4 and playing champs league football need.
Can't see him getting much first team football either, the whole thing is a bit fishy, has Pardew got a daughter?
It's not a good move for United either as Levy is a tight git and we stand to receive a percentage of his transer fee. Someone get a bidding war going!!!
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"Can't underestimate them because they are a team". ... wat?
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