Ndombele Watch ...yes, really If by complete coincidence we have no issue paying Dybala's image rights, we'll know why
I've just seen this compilation of Lo Celso. It's by far the best one that I've seen and shows the full array of his talents (which are considerable). We've got a very special talent here...
Even in the brief training footage Spurs posted up of his first day, there’s some really nice bits of skill and play that makes you think “we’re gonna like this guy”.
I'd keep him away from taking corners and have him on the edge of the area, ready to volley in any so-so clearances. Having a midfielder who can finish like he can, is a huge boost to us. I wonder if Sonny can take a corner? He doesn't seem to have any useful role currently?
Irritating music alert! But wow, he looks special. I know you can pull highlights together to look better than they are, but Eriksen's skill matched with Alli's impudence. Looking forward to seeing him.
So, everyone match fit and we're playing the CL final again. What's the team For me (potentially, given not sure how Lo Celso will settle in and mainly based on the video) Lloris Foyth Alderweireld Vertonghen Rose N'Dombele Dier Sissoko Eriksen Lo Celso Kane Subs Gazza Alli Son Moura Sanchez Davies Lamela
This maybe is the real reward of getting to the CL final that players like Lo Celso and Ndombele want to play for Spurs. Except scoring goals perhaps.
I think Poch is slowly trying to build a squad capable of playing almost any formation at the drop of a hat. A few years ago we switched between 4231 and 3421 at ease and our results and performances really gained from it. With the decline of our CM and FBs we basically got stuck with 4231 as our default option and stopping us became much easier. Programming the team to be able to play multiple formations makes a lot of sense as we don't have the resources to field a bench of players who should probably be starters a la City. It also gives us an advantage over Pool who are very much wed to a single system of 433. I'd say we have 3 formations each with its tactical strengths. None of them require major turnover of personnel either which is a must. Oh and none of them involve a midfield diamond which I see as a colossal waste of energy. 1) Against technically excellent sides who will seek to dominate the midfield: 433 Hugo Foyth Toby Jan Davies Sissoko NDombele Lo Celso Lucas Kane Son 2) Against teams who play open football who we really should be beating: 4231 Hugo KWP Toby Jan Rose Sissoko Ndombele Son Eriksen Alli Kane 3) Against teams who are simply better than us and will keep us pinned back for large periods: 3421 Hugo Toby Dave Jan KWP Sissoko Ndombele Sessegnon Son Lo Celso/Eriksen Kane
When all you have is a hammer, then every problem begins to look like a nail. Even a very consistently good regime will now and then meet an opponent that thwarts you. My favourite example is the mighty Barca tika-taka and in the CL : 1. 2012 clash against Chelsky, which showed that busparquet can even thwart the most potent attacking team if those small moments of luck are not there 2. 2013 KO clash against Munich, when the opponent had Teutonic pace and power added to basic possession technical competence (which made much of each game look like men vs boys) .
I’m just a lazy typer. If someone’s surname is too long or fiddly to spell, they get first name treatment.
I'm struggling to think of any occasion when he's scored/assisted from a corner or free kick. Maybe crossing would be his thing? From open play, he's fabulous.
I'm not interested in prolific. I'm suggesting no return at all...absolutely nothing.....in 4 seasons from a top forward...zilch....nada.....rien...a big fat zero....not a single sausage.