We’ve benefited from a ‘nice’ run of games to kick the season off - I think that’s not debatable. But, as we’ve seen already, you can’t take anything for granted in this league against any team. You have to earn the right to win and, so far, we’ve done that. There will be sterner tests to come and we are already suffering injuries to key players already, which doesn’t bode well, so let’s see how we progress from here. Not least because of the fixture congestion. We’ve built up some good momentum so far, though. Can’t moan too much at the moment (with regard to on the pitch matters; off the pitch stuff is an entirely separate issue).
Absolutely and you have had the perfect start and it gives you a nice cushion for the harder tests coming up and is a great confidence boost. Man U away will be an intriguing game especially if they turn over Leicester tomorrow night
Not too unhappy with the point, they’re always bang up for that game and it’s an improvement over the course of these opening fixtures on last season’s results. I didn’t manage to watch but from following the commentary it sounded like they came more into the game after the non penalty call and we never woke up from there. It feels like we’re suffering from many of the same issues we have seen before - lack of midfield control being most prominent, and this is being compounded by Sonny being utterly blunt so far this season.
I think we had the age-old issue of the players feeling the ref wasn't giving them anything so they basically resigned themselves to dropped points Between being given a penalty and then having it taken away after the longest VAR check in history, Sanchez and Bissouma getting soft bookings while Cat Kicker's foul on Kane on the edge of the box was ignored, how many times have we seen our players' shoulders drop because they feel they can't play against twelve men? And this is hardly recent, the same happened in the FA Cup semi against Portsmouth where Martin Twatkinson was Pompey's best player and most of the players on the pitch that day have retired by now
I remember that FA Cup Semi and the referee was Alan Wiley, the same Alan Wiley that Harry Redknapp had publicly criticized a few weeks earlier after a shocking display of refereeing going against Spurs. What followed was one of the most clearly bent displays of refereeing ever seen, in a FA Cup semi final. At one point, Spurs had a perfectly good goal disallowed for a non existent foul on David James, which was so comical even the guilty looking James was in fits of laughter. Wiley clearly took offence at Redknapp`s comments and decided to give Spurs fack all decisions in the FA CUP semi final.
I think we are still short of game changing quality on the bench and are one or two absences away from having literally no one there who could be the difference in a tight game. Gil isn't ready, Lucas has shown consistently over 3 years that he just isn't that player, which leaves Richarlison who has shown promise. If the latter picks up an injury or has to start in the team due to injuries to any of our regular front 3, things suddenly look very, very thin on the ground. I'm not too confident it will happen, but one more signing in this department before the window shuts could be the difference between us having a real fight on our hands just for top 4, and being able to handle four competitions in a respectable manner. That player isn't Dan James or Adams Traore. We need to aim big and spend big to bring in someone who can make that difference and allow for proper rotation of our attackers.
We don't have backup for Kane or a creative midfielder at all. We're going into the last day pissing about, which is ludicrous given the start we had.
My biggest worry which I’ve said before is how the team copes once the fixtures start coming thick and fast. Conte’s not been the best at handling it before and the strength in depth isn’t as strong in some areas of the squad as it probably should and could be.
Creative midfielder definitely. Two in midfield generally will be an issue against a number of teams too as they will be outnumbered. And pace off the bench in the second half would help - which is probably why James gets mentioned.
First half my stream was so stop start it was difficult to watch. Second half Spurs were so stop start it was again difficult to watch. Very disjointed play from Spurs, they were definitely spooked by West Ham running hard at them. Perisic was calm and Richarleson's first time with the ball was sublime as he jinked and took the ball up the wing. He looks very assured on the ball. I think he's better than I thought. Overall a very frustrating game not helped by Hoddle whose comments seem to wind me up.
I'm not sure we're pissing about. I don't think we've identified a clear target for the job I'm describing. It's clear we've sounded out the likes of Zaniolo, Traore, James, Malinovskyi while there have been rumours about Zaha, Carrasco, Gordon and Depay etc. There is usually fire with so much smoke around and my take is we have been looking for another wide attacker for most of the window, but nothing obvious has jumped out as a solid option. And to be honest, looking at that list I can see why. It's a combination of players who'd either insist on starting every game, or others with major question marks over them. I hope Fabio can pull a rabbit out of the hat tomorrow as it is an area of real concern for me, as is the lack of cover for Dier.
Anybody else reckon our `penalty` tonight would have been overturned if it was for Varpool instead of us? No, I didn`t think so.
We lack creativity and rely on Kane, Kulusevski and Perisic to create most of our chances, we also struggle with Sanchez and Royal`s lack of ability on the ball, teams are targeting that side because they know they are poor at playing out. As it stands, our squad is still short, another creative attacking player and another top CB would make a big difference, a few injuries and / or suspensions and we will see a drop off.
Agree with most about the creative mid. If we can’t get that then get Carrasco to be on the opposite flank to Perisic, bin Doherty and Emerson if need be. Watching Perisic and Emerson go forward is chalk and cheese. The Brazilian’s a sound defender but he’s a terrible attacking WB and we can’t persist with it, the forwards get nothing from that right flank. As for the forwards though, if Son wasn’t so horrifically bad at the moment we’d also likely look far better in attack. It’s as good as playing with ten men so far, an in-form Son and we likely create and score more tonight and in other matches. Needs dropping for a few games, have him work his bollocks off from the bench just as Richarlison’s been doing. Conte’s gotta start making some big calls, he got the selection and lack of subs completely wrong tonight.
Was embarrassing watching us trying to play it out from the back Set a clowns No Romero means no **** all at the back tbh and that’s a desperate state of affairs that will keep on picking away at us throughout the season quality Cb and playmaker required we all knew it before a ball was kicked in anger this season
One thing I hate to see from defenders, when they just stick a leg out as the ball flies past them. Dier does it a lot and I noticed Perisic did a few times tonight too.
