I think that the signings have been really positive both now and into the future and the fact they didn't all come in one window is good. However, there are some glaring holes - wing backs and creative MF etc - which still need too be resolved. But as I said earlier, I am more concerned about the predictability of our tactics both on the pitch and in the substitutions.
I would argue that we are NOW a team where one signing of quality (probably in our midfield) could take us up a level.
This is actually incorrect in my opinion. Our forwards (well, mainly Kane to be honest) are scoring more than they should be. If you look at the stats here, granted it says for PL and therefore makes it harder to judge on CL at the moment, it shows our conversion rate and finishing is above what is expected based on how much we’re creating: We’re bottom for passes into the final third, 8th for big chances created but are 3rd and 2nd for goals scored and conversion rate. That to me says and even shows that we’re scoring more than our play dictates and therefore it’s unfair to criticise the forwards as a collective (though Son can’t hit a barndoor and Richarlison isn’t doing enough). Our issues are lying with the extremely negative system coupled with poor forward play from midfield and out wide. A lot of that is on the manager - he’s setting us up far too defensively and conceding possession too willingly, possession doesn’t win games but it certainly helps control them. He’s picking a RWB that does absolutely nothing going forward and our two CMs are often being overrun coupled with being unable to play enough through balls because of how negative the tactics are.
For me it’s about dealing with the moment not about stats because Kanes stats speak for themselves most seasons. in my recent experience we dont t really deal with the moment quite like we should. last night like I said…we were on 9 shots on goal and 0 on target after an hour That moment has nothing to do with tactics that’s the player and what he has about him at that moment That’s why in this game you can do nothing all season but score the winner in a semi final to get to a final and you become a hero. It’s my belief that our best players should be having these moments more often and that is what would elevate us as a team. I agree about sticking with Emerson…he isn’t a wingback for me…but last night he was part of a defence that did its job and ok he’s not the best wingback but we still ended up with chances to score…our main men didn’t convert them.
Last night our forwards were poor as we created enough to score but in general to say our forwards are the issue is just simply unfair because it’s demanding too much from too little. Players can’t score if they don’t get the ball enough in goal scoring positions. Doesn’t matter if you’re Haaland or Vincent Janssen, if the ball ain’t coming into goal scoring positions then the chances of scoring are next to zero. The negative tactics are making obscene demands for our forwards. It’s not helped that Son can’t even pass a ball at the moment or Richarlison has been extremely ineffective outside of his first few games but putting 10 men behind the ball most games and expecting to score frequently ain’t gonna work. It needs changing and soon. We rode our luck in a number of early games but that luck’s now running out, we’ve won just 1 of our last 4 matches.
Overall I was happy with the signings but I am worried about the lack of playing time Bissouma is getting and the front 3 look like they are crowding each other out , the thought of Kane Son and Richarlison all up front is appealing but in reality it is not working, does Conte push on with this experiment on game days or does he withdraw it to the training ground to tweak it some more
He’s one of the players I wouldn’t be surprised at if they submitted a request to leave in January. Likewise Skipp and Spence.
Oh dear ... Need ALL these stats for ALL the PL clubs. Which means correlation is possible with results (W/D/L) and GF/GA. So are we to infer that Spurs this season have been over-rewarded with pts ?? If so, that would clash with my "Squad performence watch" stats (which are not showing anything really significant other than the defence seems to be sitting much deeper and in greater numbers) .
By my workings, I make it : *** 1. by 1 pt 2. and all due to match officials, not the quoted stats *** the Chelsky game
Son is a much better player than Richarlison. Neither did anything much in the first 60 mins. What grounds were there for taking the better player off?
That the better player was playing really poorly. Richarlison was way more dangerous (all things are relative) in the game and unless injured I'd have left him on rather than Son.
Why do you think that the way Son has played in the match so far affects how he is likely to play for the next few minutes? Son is a mercurial player...he often does nothing for ages then something brilliant.
You’re right on that front, I could have phrased that better. Nobody’s expecting Sonny to knock in goals like he did against Leicester every game but it does seem the basic connections and finishing aren’t even there right now. It’s another reason we miss Kulu so much. Richy works so hard and does make things happen but Kulu ties the front 3 together so well, and also progresses the ball between the lines in a way that most of our other forwards don’t.
That's an argument to always play him, regardless of form. At some point you have to recognise that his control, shooting, passing were awful and the chances are that he won't be improving them in that game. What message does it send if he knows he is playing regardless of performances..
It sends the message that form is temporary and class is permanent and the team will be picked according to the latter not the former. What message do you want to send? There is an important issue, though, which is how many poor performances it takes for there to be a statistically significant change in how good he is. It is certainly a lot more than 10 matches. As you should have noticed by now I am a firm believer that form is more likely to be an outcome of random fluctuations in performance than a predictor of future performance. It is hard to prove one way or the other but you are the one of those who want to make important decisions based on an assumption that it is a predictor so I think the burden of proof is on you!
example: 65 minutes into a game Richarlison…running his socks off, tracking back, winning the battles being a menace, he’s hit the post, put one on a plate for Kane but he fluffed it Son…been running into dead ends most game, should have laid it off to Kane at least twice but opted to shoot on both occasions and miss. He’s been a passenger today…3 shots at goal all off target It’s sub time who are you taking off?
Richarlison because Son remains a more dangerous player despite those blips. If Son isn't fit, is tired, or not trying it's a different matter. Son scores loads of goals where you wouldn't want Richarlison to be taking a shot. Two of those against Leicester for example. If you don't want Son to try shots from there then tell him not to and sub him if he does. We will likely score five fewer goals a season and get no benefit in return.
Sonny has been poor all season bar a 30 minute sub appearance - after being benched! 2 following games and he is back into his poor form. Last night he was very poor, no first touch, misplaced passes and runs out of synch with his teammates. Of course he should have been subbed at 60-65 mins last night. Class is indeed permanent, but that doesn't mean there may be better options in the moment.
