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Conte’s Creative Black Hole

By The Boy -

Blake: And your name is, ‘you’re wanting’

Sure, it’s just two games in for Tottenham, and I’m not the kind of guy to wait until two games to go before pointing out that which a 12-tear-old could probably tell you, by then. I’ve discussed the lack of creativity in the middle of Conte’s selections to date, and that theme continues apace.

Looking at Premier League assists this season, we have, yet, anybody of note to make themselves known. Additionally, Spurs have just one soldier in the top tens for both shots and second assists, the same man, Heung-Min Son…

Read the full piece here.

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CowSpurs
CowSpurs
1 year ago

I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on statistics after 2 games, it’s all lies and damn lies, especially with so little to go on. We are though 4th in the league with no losses having been subjected to a mauling at the hands of Chelsea. If we have 3 more games like that in the next 8 I might find cause to worry. I think the issue is how many players were off it on Sunday. They looked slow and hopeless, but was this because of our tactics, as for 55 or so minutes were sadly lacking? That said, better footballers would have kept the ball better. This same frailty will hit home again this season against teams who spend more money than us in the EPL and are more accustomed to playing keep ball in the Ch Lg, a competition Conte hasn’t done well in.

I love free flowing football, but when we brought in Conte did we expect him to bring a high pressing blood and thunder approach? He reminds me of Mourinho in many respects, the main one being they are both pragmatists when it comes to football. They know how to win games and that does not involve Ossie Ardiles gung ho tactics.

Conte doesn’t lose many games because of the way he packs out his defence. Even with a lack of quality, Romero is the only top draw player we have at the back, we still we got 4th with a win v City, a demolishment of Arsenal and a draw v Liverpool. If Kane hadn’t fluffed his one true chance we might have scored 3 goals at Stamford Bridge, not bad for a team that was pretty damn poor. However, we stayed in the game and got a bit of luck, well, an awful lot.

What Conte will want to do is improve on the 12 games we lost in 2020/21 and the 11 we lost last season. I am trusting this will happen. In terms of statistics we weren’t far off Chelsea and although we might want to get closer to them they have spent big and made themselves no worse than last season. As shown on Sunday they are better than us, but over a season where teams will get at Chelsea I don’t think we will be that far off them again, it is Arsenal we have to worry about now they have God’s son on their side.

I would love Ward-Prowse or Maddison or Paqueta, but I would rather have 2 more effective wing backs, as highlighted in this post. At the moment, with more pressing needs, a creative midfielder is a luxury we don’t need. The WB position is going to cause us consternation this season, but we have to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves. I have never rated Royal or Doherty and the left side is as nondescript, the injustice is nothing has been done to correct it over the Summer. Conte cannot be happy with it, but then again, he got it to work didn’t he? Top 4 was a bonus, the squad has been improved, but we are not going to set the Premiership alight in terms of a title challenge. Fortunately, Sky’s ‘best league in the world’ isn’t that great and by Christmas the 4 sections of the league will be firmly in place, we just need to stay in the top part of the second tier. Conte is bringing a bit of stability back to Spurs, but without the flair. Maybe that will come later. Here’s hoping.

Archibald&Crooks (SC)
Archibald&Crooks (SC)
1 year ago

slightly o/t but obvs. Spurs……..I am liking the sound of both these mifrielders we are now being linked with – strong/set piece specialists/rocket of a left foot
come on Paratici you have time

Archibald&Crooks (SC)
Archibald&Crooks (SC)
1 year ago
Reply to  East Stand.

Conte doesnt do Top4 so I would say we coast this season to 2nd or 3rd and the FA Cup that is a par season for Tonio.
Then next Summer he brings in that world class CB (one that doesnt get bullied by stick men) to partner Romero and really goes for the PL.

East Stand.
East Stand.
1 year ago

I’m curious to know what the objectives are for Conte this season. By that I mean minimum achievement, I would say sustaining a place in the top 4 will be the main priority, everyone has improved their squads too. Can’t see a title push, can’t see us winning the Champions League or even getting to the quarterfinals. Top 4 and a possible domestic cup is the only realistic expectation…

Tony Tucker's Toupee
Tony Tucker's Toupee
1 year ago
Reply to  Lord Croker

Romero definitely has brass balls.

Tony Tucker's Toupee
Tony Tucker's Toupee
1 year ago

When I saw the line up it was obvious that Conte feared conceding chances and opted for Royal at right back rather than attacking Chelsea in both wide areas. I suppose he was worried about Sterling. Sessegnon got in ahead of Perisic due to his decent display against Southampton. Doherty and Perisic are also short of match fitness.

If they had been fully fit and selected who knows?

Spurs had 5 chances on target to Chelsea’s 3 despite all the bluster. it’s about taking the big chances when they come along. Havertz failed to score twice but Kane redeemed himself having also missed a very good chance.

The referee let everything go as far as I could see. There was an edge in many of the tackles from both teams. It wasn’t great to watch from a Spurs perspective but Chelsea never got the elusive second goal and paid the price for Havertz slack finishing.

My only minor gripe was the negative team selection in respect of the wing backs, the time it took Conte to change it and then subsequently reverting back to defending the edge of our own 18 yard box after we equalised.

Conte didn’t want to lose more than he wanted to win. Maybe he was right; maybe not.

We will find out after 38 games.

A point away to Chelsea is OK and it was deserved in the end.

Last edited 1 year ago by The Hurrah Brigade
East Stand.
East Stand.
1 year ago

Conte is a great league manager, but his cup record both domestically and in Europe doesn’t really compare. I have no problem with that, however things like creativity in a team are less important over a long campaign. Good defending, being strong enough to see games out and counter attacking can bring good progress in the league.

Also, Conte is used to having more midfield quality at his disposal than this current Spurs squad possesses…

Paddio
Paddio
1 year ago
Reply to  at large

I think the bit that’s missed is this seems to be a bit of a west ham moment for Chelsea, the have a cup final feel in this game for the fans.

kwakspur
kwakspur
1 year ago

Yes, the result could’ve been the same, but I believe Lenglen in for Dier, Perisic in for Sess, Bissouma in for Hojbjerg, would’ve performed better in this match. But Conte couldn’t change the team after last weeks win.
I’m sure he wanted to, as he knew this would be a completely different test to last week.

Lenglen is left sided, but I worry more about Dier than Davies and he can play central.
His distribution even for 20 mins v. Roma was very decent.
It’s a shame he has a slight injury.

But for all Chelsea’ domination they had only 3 shots on target to our 5 on target.

But what does Conte do for Wolves, play the same team that started or make a few changes?

Last edited 1 year ago by kwakspur
at large
at large
1 year ago

Last year the gap in quality was massive and evident. This year the gap has narrowed some, but still wide. Kante and Jorginho (until the 95th minute) absolutely destroyed our midfield.

Bottom line, we still have a long way to go but we’re making progress and nicked a point in a game we would’ve gotten destroyed in previous seasons.

Lord Croker
Lord Croker
1 year ago

And your name is, ‘you’re wanting’

Without searching…… Glengarry Glen Ross?

Alec Baldwin.

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
1 year ago

It was a bad team performance with the ball… Everyone was getting swarmed. Kane Son Koolio Benty Hobby Sessy barely coped.. Tuchel said they would high press and it worked well for 55 minutes..
Without the ball we were good, apart from the mistakes for their goals. Both soft goals in my eyes.
After our subs were all on, Perisic, Bissouma, Richy, and Lucas and we switched to 4 up top, then it was a different game.
We play poorly, yet still snatch a point away from home. Not a bad result at all.

Nice prediction Brother H you said 2-2.. Would have been good odds for that.. Win any money?

Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
Steve 'Killer Cushion' Williams
1 year ago
Reply to  SpursGoliath

Good definition… I think the Chavs are crying out for a proper striker. Until they get one that was about their ceiling.

SpursGoliath
SpursGoliath
1 year ago

Satire ain’t dead

JimmyGrievance
JimmyGrievance
1 year ago
Reply to  Billy Tonsils

The positive from yesterday was a result against a dire performance. Chelsea will still be looking to finish in the top 3 and winning silverware. We gifted them their goals with shocking defending. Conte had to think seriously about playing the new guys from now on. We need the stability and experience that the likes Peresic will bring to the team. Richi is a beast and should start against Wolves Bissouna should start ahead of Hojlberg.

God is a Spurs fan
God is a Spurs fan
1 year ago

Couldn’t agree more! Great blog as always! Conte doesn’t have a creative bone in his body. He really needs to resign or bring in someone to help him. 2 games in and we are below Brentford, that’s just embarrassing! like Harry says if you’re happy with this mediocrity then you are the stupidest of stupid children. Maybe even stupider! Basically what I’m saying is, if you disagree with ANYTHING on this blog, there is no limit to your stupid.

And what about that summer we didn’t sign anyone, hey!? Have I mentioned that?
Embarrassing!

God bless this blog and all the people who completely agree with what’s written. it’s the only sane place on the internet!

Lilywhite without the II
Lilywhite without the II
1 year ago
Reply to  Park Lane

problem is Sess was useless and Royal not much better….I don’t think Conte should’ve stuck to his normal system…..I think for 80% of the time it will work but not against teams like Chelsea who are so good on the ball…we needed to pack out the midfield more…not sure how flexible this team is which is the problem Conte will have…we won’t win anything unless we can adapt and have more creativity..

SpursGoliath
SpursGoliath
1 year ago

Arguably the toughest league game of the season (ok, maybe a trip to Anfield) – they’re a settled side, we aren’t. Poor performance, great result, we’ll get better – that’s about Chelsea’s ceiling tbh

Paddio
Paddio
1 year ago

I’d love a creative mid in the side, I’d also like our defensive mids to be as good a Kante, so stuffed on both counts.
the performance was poor but the building blocks are there and improving.
The attitudes, I don’t mind as there was a unified team spirit esp if you watch the players reactions on the wide shot when the mgrs threw their handbags. They are for Conte and it shows.
The games against I Chelsea, Liverpool and City aren’t the ones that will bring us the success in the league but points gain in them is great., As I feel top four will be success this year and at least around the 80 point mark. Everything else is a bonus.

Park Lane
Park Lane
1 year ago

We had two world class forwards who simply didn’t turn up at all yesterday. Kane’s goal aside, he was useless. Kulusevski had an off game too.

Hojbjerg is escaping criticism because of his goal, but he has cement boots. Forgot he was playing first half, unforgivable for a central midfielder

Brick Top
Brick Top
1 year ago

Curiously we’re linked to Milinkovic-Savic today. Either him or Paqueta would be splendid

Billy Tonsils
Billy Tonsils
1 year ago
Reply to  JimmyGrievance

We needed more in midfield more in defence and more upfront ..we were a shambles ..our defending was keystone cops our midfield was Benny Hill, and our attack was appalling Kane and Son went missing ..yes I know Kane scored.
Thank goodness for Charlie..legs pace and attitude Peresic..an actual footballer and Bossuma who put a finger in the midfield dyke..
If we aren’t bringing in a playmaker we will have to give Gil a go ..won’t get away with that dog’s dinner again.

Last edited 1 year ago by Billy Tonsils
Elevenstonedidiots
Elevenstonedidiots
1 year ago

Chelsea pressed us but at this stage its not like we shouldn’t be used to opponents pressing us. For me the lethargy was alarming which resulted in us repeatedly giving the ball away and Kane, Son and Kulu really struggled to with their touch and hold-up play. It was so un-Kane like to see him snatch at that shot when he was put through on goal. I hope Conte hasn’t’ over-trained because we we far better than the rubbish that was produced yesterday.

Legoverlass
Legoverlass
1 year ago

We are bereft of creativity in the midfield and as a result Chelsea swarmed all over us in the middle of the park. We were so poor it was embarrassing at times. They fielded three new first team signings and we once again fielded the same team as last season with no new signings. We shop at Poundland whilst the truly ambitious clubs shop at Harrods. I will be very interested to see what our net spend is at the close of the window. That will determine the strength of our ambition or the thickness of the wool being pulled over our eyes.

JimmyGrievance
JimmyGrievance
1 year ago

It’s more noticeable when, like yesterday Son goes MIA.

Was never the biggest Eriksen fan but we miss the creativity he brought to the MF. His corners and free kicks were 💩 though.

Conte must have at least two more incoming and one of those has to be a creative MF.

Last edited 1 year ago by JimmyGrievance
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