don’t apologise to me. Just ensure you’re ready for the RCL onslaught heading your way when he sees this. Good luck mate.
****. He’s not had the best day travel wise. I just hope his visit to his daughter has gone well and he shows me some compassion
I didn't think that he could defend. He's now doing basically everything. The system suits him well and he shifted into playing as a right-winger today easily. Grafts, technically superb, good crosser, has a finish on him... just very impressive.
The pressure is really on Richarlison now. Veliz will be getting creeping sub time as Spurs secure the results in the 2nd half. Sooner or later the manager may be forced to give him a starting XI opportunity.
His work rate and tenacity are unbelievable. He could have had a few goals as well. He's already been a better player for Spurs than Sherwood ever was!
it’s not just Veliz. Gil too. Richarlison just isn’t offering anything, and it doesn’t help when he’s missing sitters against the likes of Luton. Games where he should be building his confidence, as he won’t get presented with opportunities like that very often.
I really hope that’s the case but I can’t help but feel Ange is trying to play Richarlison into form despite the detriment it’s having on the team. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a bit of pressure from above to be playing him too due to his cost… Disastrous situation that was so, so avoidable.
I think that Richarlison actually played well today, apart from his horrendous finishing. He was a big part of our attacks and was linking up well with Udogie. Sacrificing him at half-time was the right thing to do, but that's on Bissouma. Failing to put away easy chances in a game we're expected to win at 0-0 is ****ing bad, though. I'd love to see him coming on when we're well ahead and still creating something. That doesn't ever seem to happen, though. We're either chasing or we're shutting up shop.
I don’t think Richarlison is a terrible squad player to have. With everyone fit he would likely be 5th or 6th choice up front. It’s just the fact we spent £60 million for that luxury!
I think our expectations of him are so low that anything decent is clouding our judgement. Other than a couple of decent bits of link up play down the left hand side, all I saw was 2 really bad attempts at goal, a lack of balance, poor first touches, and a loss of possession when marked with his back from goal. I think you nailed it when you noticed that Perisic’s skill set would complement richarlison, but that’s now dead and buried unless Porro starts doing the same thing from the right hand side.
I think that bring him and Gil on should be an option after the international break. The Spanish Beatle can cross well from the left and also likes running at people. Could be a decent option against tired legs.
This, similar has been done over the years for the likes of Sessegnon and Winks (and others). A non-horrific performance gets passed off as playing well, yet when you compare that performance to just a mediocre one from a more consistent player, you realise it’s still below the level required.
I’m battening down the hatches in anticipation of RCL’s visit later…. and why did Merson cheer when Chelsea scored?!
Richy’s finishing today put us in a tough spot. His all around play has been decent relatively speaking the last couple of games but Johnson will likely take his place when he’s back after the break and I think that’s best for everyone.
Biss has been outstanding so far this season and I've thankfully not seen that in his game before - either here or at Brighton. He should - and I expect he will - offer an apology and move on. His buddies bailed him out today so hopefully a lesson learned for him.
He’s been excellent but today he let the team down massively. Players get sent off and that’s part and parcel of the game but getting a second yellow for diving is something he should be berated for and I hope Ange has a word. I’m all for dark arts in football but I’ve long maintained diving isn’t a dark art, it’s just being a bloody fairy. He’s very lucky the other ten (nine actually, minus Richarlison) stepped up for him and he should be giving van de Ven a massive kiss on the cheek.
Just a reminder that we've only played 3 home games this season. Two of those were Man Utd and Liverpool, games which we don't normally win. Now for the 76th international break of the season. Probably.
Having lived there for a year, I know they'll be burning crucifixes on the lawns of the nearest non-white family this evening Well it is Saturday, after all...
