Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, on paper, is doing just fine, thank you very much. What cannot speak cannot lie, and the Premier League table tells us we are 3rd, as opposed to second only because of goal difference, and that we are still competing in the world’s finest club tournament, the Champions League.
Beyond what is undoubtedly a veneer of respectability, we have the reality that Antonio Conte is struggling with the resources provided, even after a transfer window that was mindlessly lauded by many sections of the football press. This is, of course, down to the fact that the press officer told multiple individuals that multiple transfers were on the cards and so the least wordly reporters hurrar’d each deal as it was announced as done, without analysis, with a thought.
Fast-forward to a few games in, and we have Conte breaking it to the same sea lions that for him, and his coaching staff, the situation is not ideal. Djed Spence has been straightforwardly outed as a club purchase, and we are now told that Yves Bissouma is having problems getting his head around the tactical aspects of Tottenham’s game.
The superstar signing Richarlison is getting minutes, but one cannot help but feel this is more by fortune than design, as Heung Son-Min has been in atrocious form by his own standards, and the feeling amongst most supporters who express their views online, is that Spurs have been a very tough watch this season.
Quality of play has been an issue, the expected goal numbers are at record lows, and the construction play in the main tends to be limited to Spurs having a go when on the break, so no breaks, no goes.
The absence of a specific creative player in the middle of the park was pointed out early on by some, and now most fans are very much worried about our midfield. Pierre Emile Hojbjerg has borne the brunt of much frustration, but that’s primarily because too many fans don’t understand the role of a holding midfielder. Tragic, but true.
Spurs face Leicester City today, and it is a tie all set up to go one way or another. Redemption for the awkward Lilywhites, or patch-up job for the patient, courtesy of Dr. Tottenham. Only a brave man would want to call it.
Sanchez has always had mistakes in him has awful distribution and is awful under pressure as is Royal..you drop two bits of buttered toast both land buttered side down because one lands nearer your left foot it doesn’t make it any better..they both belong in the bin.
I would have preferred Emerson at RB over Davinson Sanchez, he is quite good covering that position. I think Sanchez has enough ability but seems to make decisions under pressure that also put the team under pressure. If Sanchez can find a way to stay alert but relaxed during matches, so that he can remain confident and calm when called to action, he could still become a reliable or even a great defender.
Ignore the hubris machine. Barca are just deflecting. They have made so many ludicrous deals because they thought they were untouchable. They don’t have the right to take the p#ss out of anyone tbf.
The higher press was the key, Conte really has to accept that the way he sets us up to not not press high naturally and allow the opposition so much of the ball can’t be allowed to happen as often as it does, Bentancur was much more effective pressing higher.
Our midfield has zero vision, it’s probably why we grind results out.
Not playing great, still winning football matches, how long can this go on for?
Sonny: 2 outstanding strikes, but 3rd was a poor finish that went in, and the rest of his play wasn’t great – not sure he’s fully turned the corner just yet.
Sanchez: a classic “just when you thought maybe he’s ok he goes and does that” sort of game – would rather see Tanganga as backup, have a feeling we might do next.
This formation is a problem when Benti is off his passing game. It means we (usually) have a midfield of Benti/Hoj with Perisic and Royale pushing up – there’s very little vision here.
Would love to see what Spence has to offer, I’m sure I read he’s only 6 months younger than Royale – but we are screaming out for a James Ward Prowse style quarterback to support the front 3
Agreed
Bit more positive than others..ended up with a 3 man midfield which personally I think we needed .as prior to that we seemed happy to defend on our 18 yd line with our midfield and defence bumping into each other. Conte also benched Son and made more substitutions more quickly which I thought benefitted the team . I think these lessons need to be adopted. Leicester dominated for too long in this game Sess looked poor in defence and I simply do not get Royal at any level whatsoever. As HH says he cost Barca 7.5 mil and 2+months later we paid £ 25 mil …and Barca PUBLICLY TOOK THE P#SS OUT OF THFC after the deal was completed ..the man is chaos ..I don’t want him to be he just is.
Royal is a right old conundrum innit! 😂
Against a sh*te team like theirs you mean? Yeah it was incredible… 😂
Well, got to hand it to Son. We made hard work of that, Leicester are currently useless and capitulated so 6-2 definitely flattered us. Pleased for Sonny.
Happy for Son and that’s it really. We still have a few Garden Gnomes though.
The best thing about having to change up the team like that is now Conte will see there are other formations that can still deliver results. We shouldn’t let other teams have the ball when we are at home – absolutely no need for that nonsense.
Amazing what happens when you have a midfield tinker. Just adding one saw us winning it 20 yards higher up.
Bis. was (almost) magnificent when he came on obvs. aware of tactics now.
He will probably come out with some old shat like Leicester have 1 point and have conceded 22 goals
3-in-the-middle…has a nice ring to it..
Ah, I thought you were talking about our illustrious alumni and Arse fan Darren.
👍
Let’s see what happens against a team that is actually defending against our midfield 3.
I get the desire for defensive stability. But it doesn’t work for us. We should try to dominate the game a bit more unless we are playing Man City etc
😊
I wouldn’t like a roller coaster ride like that every game. Nerves couldn’t take it.
They’ve not been the same since the owner died.
Apart from Royal and Sanchez. There is no formation that would help them
Leaving having won stuff and shown ambition. Would like an owner like that.
A bit better balanced.
He’s due a huge pay off if sacked. Leicester owners seem to be falling out of love with the club. Wouldn’t be surprised if they sell the club.
Would still keep Ivan as first choice corner taker
We look much better with 3 in the middle. I like Bizz, Hoj & Bennie
This…doesn’t mean we don’t love him…just needed dropping..
Sacked in the morning
Nice one Sonny….fantastic..
Brendan will be getting a big pay off.
😁👍It helps.
And playing a team that’s stopped defending
Works best when they are taking the game to us… i.e. on the counter… not against a team playing deep.
Commiserations on the bet.
I said weeks ago bench Son and see what happens. This is exactly what was needed. Now maybe he’ll get back to the player know he is.
And not playing backwards.
pls var
Bloody Hell
we look good playing with 3 in m/f
Fairly simple game, attack, go forward. Stop halting and going backwards.
Wow Sonny needed that rest.
Class.
Take that Antonio.
sweet !!
😂 I meant the overall play – winning the ball back, passing quicker and more often forward. More like what he did last season.
Yep, looks like he’s been giving Romero shooting lessons
Bent doing better this half.
Doherty looks better the more he doesn’t play but he isn’t good enough either.
Now a 3-5-2 with Perisic and Doherty would be interesting, Maybe next time,
I welled up a bit to be honest
Royal made the difference…. Oh wait
Has a nice ring to it.
Hopefully that means he’s back
He needed that, we needed that.
My lad put a quid on 5-2…
That was special
Holy lord.
hurrah!!
Why was I doubting our Sonny.
What a GOAL!!!!
Well not making subs hasn’t worked in previous games, so maybe he thought why not? Throw the dice
Royal and Sanchez have been subbed? Wtf??
At least the subs are on earlier this time,but why is Sessegnon still there?
Nicely done.
Our two best players off with 20mins left
Right, hopefully this sorts this midfield bollocks out
thats our last sub
Conte making subs, he must be worried.
bissouma on, going to a 3-5-2
I wonder how my mate from “Levy is Wonderful” is seeing the game I will check in on him later. 24% possession at home to the bottom team.
They’re both too deep and play like crabs
How to make 62k people shut the fukc up…go watch Spurs…
Him playing poorly and having no confidence is a chicken-and-egg situation, I feel. He’s been here for years and should be doing better.
He’s 22. Trent is 23.
We just don’t move the ball fast enough especially in midfield
Who isn’t mate!
Why did we not go for Justin and/or Castagne.So much better than our clowns(Peresic excepted).
The wheels aren’t exactly off but you get a sense that the wheel nuts have loosened slightly…
Yet good enough for Levy 😳
Never known a football team to make it so difficult for themselves
Absolutely.He has pace and nothing else,no footballing brain.
Sess is never going to be good enough for us…
Confidence shot.
Safety first football. It’s not ‘Spursy’ thought… 😂
I’m sticky with my “Conte gone in Jan”…
The only constant tactically is counter attacking…
Sess is horrid. The words “rabbit” and “headlights” come to mind.
The low block. It’s a great watch.
We’re playing walking football.
He’s on a really long contract and no one will buy him. Like Aurier, and the rest of the chancers the scouts brought in during the 2017-2020 magic mushroom recruitment phase
“good squad option”
This is what 40-odd million got us in 2017.
Because Paratici isn’t doing his job half as well as the Clappers make out…
Somebody throw Ryan a life-saver
Keep inviting the opposition on.
‘Richy’ hooked. Looking more Watford than Brazil today…
Very comfortable.
ha ha
Sanchez finally put out of his misery. How is he still at the club.
Jesus, fukc me…Sess awful…go 1 up and turn to sh1t..