Match Day Thread Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

[Dier Hard]

We haven't had control of the midfield since Bentancur got injured. Unsurprising really as Hojbjerg while he has a superb attitude is a pretty basic player, while Skipp is still developing. Plus neither of them are suited to the role being asked of them.

I have no idea why we didn't switch to 433 as soon as we exited the CL. One game a week means less risk of injury or fatigue and Sarr has already shown himself to be more than capable.

Instead, we are essentially insisting on a system that doesn't suit most of the starting XI. I'd say only Romero and Porro have the profiles that naturally suit the roles required of them. Son is lost somewhere in midfield, Dier isn't good enough to lead the line, Davies and Lenglet are liable to being outmuscled or outpaced, and Perisic can't cover for them as he can't defend, Kulusevski spends most of his time doing Riverdance on the touchline and Kane is left to pick up the load on his own.

There are square pegs in round holes everywhere and it is infuriating to watch.

I think there’s probably a debate to be had that Romero isn’t even suited to his role, it can’t be ignored how poor he’s largely been this season, his decision making is almost as costly and frequent as Sanchez’s. He’s clearly a better technical player than the Colombian but his constant mistimed or overly aggressive tackles in unnecessary situations are just stacking up and getting beyond funny now. I wouldn’t mind if he was leaving a foot in on opposition key players to intimidate them for the remainder of the game but 99% of his yellows have had no underlying benefit and that’s also not even taking into account he’s picked up two sendings off. He’s been a hindrance more than an asset this season.

No issue with aggression but huge issue with stupidity.

 

[The Changing Man]

I think there’s probably a debate to be had that Romero isn’t even suited to his role, it can’t be ignored how poor he’s largely been this season, his decision making is almost as costly and frequent as Sanchez’s. He’s clearly a better technical player than the Colombian but his constant mistimed or overly aggressive tackles in unnecessary situations are just stacking up and getting beyond funny now. I wouldn’t mind if he was leaving a foot in on opposition key players to intimidate them for the remainder of the game but 99% of his yellows have had no underlying benefit and that’s also not even taking into account he’s picked up two sendings off. He’s been a hindrance more than an asset this season.

No issue with aggression but huge issue with stupidity.

He desperately needs a senior partner alongside him, it was interesting at the world cup that Argentina didn't appear to like him and Martinez playing together frequently pairing the more experienced Otamendi with them.

We must ensure that whoever we sign to partner him is a leader who can keep him under control.

 

[Citizen Kane.]

I think there’s probably a debate to be had that Romero isn’t even suited to his role, it can’t be ignored how poor he’s largely been this season, his decision making is almost as costly and frequent as Sanchez’s. He’s clearly a better technical player than the Colombian but his constant mistimed or overly aggressive tackles in unnecessary situations are just stacking up and getting beyond funny now. I wouldn’t mind if he was leaving a foot in on opposition key players to intimidate them for the remainder of the game but 99% of his yellows have had no underlying benefit and that’s also not even taking into account he’s picked up two sendings off. He’s been a hindrance more than an asset this season.

No issue with aggression but huge issue with stupidity.

I agree but in his defence, I think he's just pissed off at being part of such a flaccid team. Last night was a perfect example. There were times when he was playing as an attacking midfielder on the edge of the box because no one else had the minerals to make things happen. It was thanks to his aggression that we won a penalty. Half our players wouldn't have gone for that ball, they'd simply shrug and jog slowly back up the pitch.

He definitely needs a mentor on the pitch to talk him through games and to calm him down when he sees red. But here again, the lack of leadership out there is eye wateringly bad.

 

[Citizen Kane.]

He desperately needs a senior partner alongside him, it was interesting at the world cup that Argentina didn't appear to like him and Martinez playing together frequently pairing the more experienced Otamendi with them.

We must ensure that whoever we sign to partner him is a leader who can keep him under control.

Agreed. I was imagining him next to someone like Vertonghen and it would have been a seriously good partnership. Sadly, instead he is next to a player who fancies himself as the immaculate conception of Xabi Alonso and Carlos Puyol, who should've been sold 6 years ago.

 

[Dier Hard]

He desperately needs a senior partner alongside him, it was interesting at the world cup that Argentina didn't appear to like him and Martinez playing together frequently pairing the more experienced Otamendi with them.

We must ensure that whoever we sign to partner him is a leader who can keep him under control.

He probably does need a more calming influence aside him but he’s 25 in a few weeks, a former Serie A defender of the year, World Cup and Copa America winner, realistically he should be the one looking to be the leader at the back for us in my opinion, not needing one himself.

I don’t think we’ve been linked with a sort of Vertonghen-esque type of CB either, many of the ones mentioned are even younger than Romero who themselves will likely need a bit of guidance and if him honest it’s hard to think of too many CBs around that could both improve our backline and simultaneously provide a calming influence/ mentor type role, most of these will already be at clubs bigger or a similar level to us.

As per usual with a ton of things at the club at the moment, I’m left scratching my head as to what’s best to do.

 

[Dier Hard]

Stellini is literally Conte-lite, spouting the exact same bile.

“Danjuma is one player. We obviously have three important players up front and today we used Lucas and then when we had 10 players after the red card we couldn't change," explained the Italian. "Danjuma is a good player, his effort is fine. We are happy with him. He just needs to wait for his time because in our squad it's not easy to play in the front three. It's not easy for him. We understand him but we are happy.”

He has to wait for his time? There’s 9 games left of the season you helmet and then he heads back to Villarreal, it’s not like this is a bedding-in period where he’ll feature more next season. At a time where none of our wide players are doing anything, it might, you know, be a decent idea to give someone else a chance…

What an earth did Paratici say to Danjuma to convince him to leave Finch Farm and travel down to London just to sit on the bench for six months? Similar can be said for Spence and one or two others. The worst squad management I’ve ever seen from a manager and his coaching staff.

The only glimmer of light for Danjuma now is Lucas is out for three games (if only it were for the season!) and so he might actually get a chance to prove himself soon, though I won’t be surprised if Richarlison returns soon and we’ll just continue watching him fail to score a domestic goal.

 

[Spurf]

This is why I supported your campaign to become Mod of this board. No nonsense. One Vince McMahon gif and he'd have been out on the street. No polite warnings, no second chances. Out.

We respond to the board. No one has made any requests. It's pointless bitching to each other just contact one of the 3 mods. With your complaint

 

[Citizen Kane.]

We respond to the board. No one has made any requests. It's pointless bitching to each other just contact one of the 3 mods. With your complaint

Fantastic. Please ban Munse for the remainder of the season

 

[Citizen Kane.]

Quite a few fans of the women's team are drawing parallels between their situation and ours. Both sides have had poor seasons playing dour football. Both sack the manager, both leave their number 2 in temporary charge, dour football continues, results don't improve.

Total lack of direction at the club at the moment.

 

[humanbeingincroydon]

I agree but in his defence, I think he's just pissed off at being part of such a flaccid team. Last night was a perfect example. There were times when he was playing as an attacking midfielder on the edge of the box because no one else had the minerals to make things happen. It was thanks to his aggression that we won a penalty. Half our players wouldn't have gone for that ball, they'd simply shrug and jog slowly back up the pitch.

He definitely needs a mentor on the pitch to talk him through games and to calm him down when he sees red. But here again, the lack of leadership out there is eye wateringly bad.

Ironically the player he needs next to him is Emerson, because whenever he takes up the "**** it, I'll do it myself" mantle that one of our CMs really needs to be doing, Emerson tucks into the space so we still have a RCB - which Porro doesn't do

Alternatively, just make him the CCB and have him play as a libero with Dier as the RCB

Or the third option, which is accept we still haven't replaced Victor Wanyama and that's the issue that needed to be fixed instead of stockpiling box to box CMs

 

[vimhawk]

I'm not trying to defend our performance, because we gave the initiative away and that's something that a 5-4-1 team does anyway. I've argued before that having more control in midfield puts your defence under less pressure indirectly anyway. It's possible that we now can't get out of that mindset. I think there is such thing as a 'new manager bounce' but we're not going to get that because effectively Conte hasn't gone. And it's hardly surprising that the guy that has been No.2 to Conte for years only knows how to play like Conte!

Also while we didn't deserve it, a lot of teams win games they don't deserve to. So I might point to the fact that it's unlikely Keane hits his shot that well 9 times out of 10 (maybe even more). Also there was the question of perhaps another penalty (there was some video earlier, but for some reason I can't play it so can't comment further), plus what about the Coleman "tackle" on Perisic in the first half? Hard to say how bad because I only saw it once, and the commentator thought it was accidental. My first impression was that it wasn't accidental at all, and possibly as red-worthy as Moura's.

But I'm not defending our performance, it was horrendous with a man advantage. Many will blame the players for it (and many other occasions this season). Personally I think there's a lot of bad management going on, and if you are going to sack a manager, then really sack him and get rid of his No.2 as well. Otherwise what's the point? I really think the mindset of the players are so shackled by the last regime and JM etc, that they're stuck and are can't get out of it. They may be poor but they are better than they look. I think a different manager would prove this.

 

[humanbeingincroydon]

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[PowerSpurs]

1. We are dogshit at sitting back so it's a terrible tactic for us.
We were 3 up v forest ... Sat back and gave away a goal and a penalty, we were 3-1 up v Southampton and sat back and gave away 2 goals.
Sitting back yesterday was a terrible tactic which we all said would lead to them scoring so it ain't a matter of hindsight.

2. Moura has done nothing for years and has been injured most of the season. He has made no impact as a substitute. There were other alternatives available.

3. Replacing Lenglet may have made sense but Sanchez does not strengthen our defence.

4. Son was poor yesterday so should have been subbed earlier so I don't get your point tbh.

Same with Kuluchevski.

Both have been out of form so personally I'd have had both on the bench and started Danjuma and Sarr

I might have started with Danjuma and Sarr too, but the point is that Stellini didn't so he thinks Son and Kulusevski are stronger players. There is nothing he can discover in 60 mins of watching them play that could or should change his mind.

 

[remembercolinlee]

I might have started with Danjuma and Sarr too, but the point is that Stelling didn't so he thinks Son and Kulusevski are stronger players. There is nothing he can discover in 60 mins of watching them play that could or should change his mind.

So you agree with my marking them as 2/10 but don't think they should have been subbed?
Son and Kuluchchevski should have be off before the hour. It isn't like they have been in great form so could have been expected to pull it out the bag.
Surely thats what game management is about?
Genuinely don't get your point.

Sorry if this come across as a dig cos it ain't meant that way

 

[humanbeingincroydon]

I might have started with Danjuma and Sarr too, but the point is that Stelling didn't so he thinks Son and Kulusevski are stronger players. There is nothing he can discover in 60 mins of watching them play that could or should change his mind.

The obvious point with Deki is that clause where he has to play 45 minutes of 50% of our matches is in play, which currently breaks down like this

Premier League: 18 out of 29
Champions League: 2 out of 8
FA Cup: 1 out of 3
Season Killer Cup: 0 out of 1

Total: 21 out of 41

So he needs at least four more starts to guarantee the clause is triggered, given he missed a glut of games in October through injury

 

[PowerSpurs]

So you agree with my marking them as 2/10 but don't think they should have been subbed?
Son and Kuluchchevski should have be off before the hour. It isn't like they have been in great form so could have been expected to pull it out the bag.
Surely thats what game management is about?
Genuinely don't get your point.

Sorry if this come across as a dig cos it ain't meant that way

It's one of the things that almost everyone disagrees with me on...but I still think I am right. The reason is that I think the way someone plays for 60 minutes is a much worse indicator of how they will play for the last 30 than their long term ability. So I would never take someone off for playing badly. I think you bring on the 3 players just to get fresh legs at around the 60 min mark, taking the three weakest players on the pitch off. Based on long term performance I think that would have been Porro, Hojbjerg and Lenglet last night so I would have bought Sarr, Tanganga and Sanchez on.

 

[The Changing Man]

So you agree with my marking them as 2/10 but don't think they should have been subbed?
Son and Kuluchchevski should have be off before the hour. It isn't like they have been in great form so could have been expected to pull it out the bag.
Surely thats what game management is about?
Genuinely don't get your point.

Sorry if this come across as a dig cos it ain't meant that way

Sonny form has been awful all season, his best matches have been when he was benched I sincerely hope that is the case this weekend. I honesty don't think that Danjuma can off less threat than him on current form.

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

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Thought I was seeing things when I was watching the game (had it on mute at the time). Was this checked? Looks pretty blatant.

Obviously if it was given and we scored the pen it would have been daylight robbery, Everton fully deserved the point on the basis of their performance after we scored.

I think it hits the top bit of the arm above the t-shirt line thingy.

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No players appeal and I'm pretty sure it wasn't a handball.

 

[PowerSpurs]

Sonny form has been awful all season, his best matches have been when he was benched I sincerely hope that is the case this weekend. I honesty don't think that Danjuma can off less threat than him on current form.

Which is fine if you think recent form is an indicator of future performance. I don't. But Son has been playing very badly so may be in decline in which case Danjuma might be better now.

 

[Dier Hard]

I might have started with Danjuma and Sarr too, but the point is that Stelling didn't so he thinks Son and Kulusevski are stronger players. There is nothing he can discover in 60 mins of watching them play that could or should change his mind.

It’s not just 60 mins though, their form throughout the season, especially Son, has been extremely problematic to the team, to the point where seeing them in the starting XI just brings groans from the fans.

For me, there’s no valid reason to not give Danjuma 3-5 starts to see if he can provide something even remotely positive. It’s even more frustrating that the two players we mention - Danjuma and Sarr - have both looked very good when actually getting significant minutes; Danjuma scored on his debut and looked very exciting, Sarr was excellent at the San Siro and yet both have been subjected to either zero or >5 minutes of action per game since.

It’s a term many of us have used over the last 3-4 years with this club but doing the same things over and over and expecting different (better) results really is insanity.