I love it. If they play for your club they really endear you to them, if they play against then you bloody hate them but it adds to the atmosphere when things go our way, like tonight did. I loved the fact Johnson and Richarlison both done the darts celebration too. Football needs more characters and in-game wind ups in my opinion.
Lucky had nothing to do with it mate....one of the worst refereeing performances I've seen live. One of their players threw his arms round after the ref gave a decision against him...no yellow. Two of their players kicked the ball away ... no yellow. Their no 6 (their captain) committed 3 fouls in the first 4 minutes... one of which stopped a break away...no yellow. We had possessionof the ball when the ref blew up cos Richarlison had a head injury...two spurs players reminded the ref we had the ball while the trainers were on...they get the ball for the restart! Maupay held the ball for a throw in...then walked, with the ball across the pitch to have a row with a spurs player...clear time wasting...no card. Embarrassing display only matched by the Maupays embarrassingly classless display.
The first half v West Ham was excellent...we lost cos we didn't take our chances and they got two deflections that gave them easy goals. The first 30 mins against Everton saw some of the best football I have seen us play since the days of Ossie and Hoddle. We're were brilliant against Villa until they were allowed to kick us out of the game. We were outstanding against United. The problem has been that the injuries have meant that players weren't able to be rotated. With the Asian Cup and the African Cup of Nations it has continued that problem. Think saying we've been poor for 3 months is a massive over reaction tbh
Playing well for 20-30 mins or so doesn’t constitute to being excellent though, especially if we’ve lost as that’ll mean for 60-70 minutes we were likely below par or poor, without sounding too cliched, football is a 90 minute game, you’re not gonna be dominant for the whole 90 but you definitely need to be better for more than 20-30, regardless of how good those 20-30 may have been. We got beat in games because ultimately we weren’t good enough at both ends. We haven’t been testing keepers anywhere near enough in recent months, most of our goals are primarily coming from tap-ins and our team defending seems to have really fallen off a cliff - even with first choice selections now back, As I said to CK, injuries have absolutely played its part and that can’t be ignored but it’s not the entire reason either. Some individual player performances have really declined from previous levels; prior to heading off to AFCON Bissouma had been terrible, Kulu’s form has fallen off a cliff, Romero and van de Ven don’t seem as coherent as they were pre-absences, in the last couple games too Udogie hasn’t quite been as good, then add in a number of the squad players failing to perform too and it’s culminating in a lower level, largely poorer quality of football. We’re obviously celebrating a much needed win tonight but it was yet another below par performance overall, we played well for only about 15 minutes which came after the restart, Brentford could’ve been 3-0 up by that point but for Skipp making some good interceptions.
Early season Bissouma will give Bentancur a run for his money. He was unplayable. But hasn’t looked that player for a while and needs to work on the yellow cards anyway. Two great options to have though
I've already addressed this point. It is highly unlikely 5-6 players hit a run of bad form at the same time. The likelier explanation is that the honeymoon is over, which means while early season we caught everyone by surprise and took the league by storm, we are now a known quantity and teams will have studied us in detail - this is especially true if they have already played us. We shouldn't underestimate the strength across the PL. Most teams are extremely well drilled and organised and capable of making life very difficult for even the best sides. Look at what Luton just did to Brighton, or what Palace did to City the other week. The only real answer to this problem is to increase the overall average quality of individual players. Skipp, Richarlison and Werner are miles off the standard we need if we are to expect easy wins while playing amazing football. They all started last night. Against City, we fielded four player who aren't of the required standard. Sarr and Son returning will solve part of the problem but the issue will still remain that our CF is chipping in with a decent amount of goals but all of them tend to be tap ins and aside from working very hard, he contributes exceptionally little outside the 18 yard box.
Once again a referee allows a team to batter us with impunity. I can't help but think this is a hangover from the Liverpool game and they all come to Tottenham determined to make sure they are not accused of favouring us. I think we would have been down to 9 men if we had played like Brentford. Ange once again chose the right option when he was concerned that our players were getting sucked in to their tactics instead of blaming Brentford for doing it, but he shouldn't have to be having to do that should he. Norgard should have been off that's the kind of foul play that should be punished. They ignore that and punish mistimed tackles.
Yeah it’s not sustainable to play like that long term if you want proper success. To be 4th at this stage is good but there is still a lot to improve on and next season will be even tougher because the amount of games will be significantly more. That’s why I won’t be getting carried away.
It’s a lovely debate to be had, I think our first four choice midfielders at 100% fitness are all top level ballers but if we had everyone fit and on form, the debate would probably be down to who would join Maddison and Bentancur in the final midfield spot out of Sarr and Bissouma more so than thinking there’d be a competition between Bissouma and Bentancur. Bissouma really can be excellent and showed that early in the season but I’d say Bentancur is better in almost all departments. The Uruguayan - for me - is just below that world class level at present, I’d say he can almost walk in to any side in world football, can’t speak highly enough of him. In terms of premier league era, I think only Modric and Dembele have been of a higher calibre and there’s no shame in those two being better than you.
I’ve been enjoying the ride for the most part and for the first time I feel there’s genuinely something potentially big on the horizon again, similar to how I felt under Poch in the first 3-4 years. It’s just that the level of football has declined in recent weeks/ months and despite CK and RCL initially disagreeing with me I think in both their points they’ve even highlighted why the football has indeed declined. Fwiw I don’t even blame Ange for any of it either, some players have fallen out of their usual level and need a bit of a rocket and as has been said numerous time the injuries absolutely haven’t helped. I would’ve liked one more addition this window to aid things but this winter window is looking pretty dead in general for every club. Doubt we’ll see anything substantial today for any club. Summer is where I think we’re going to need to attack the window again, similar to last summer, some important decisions to be made that’s for sure.
he’s definitely riled Toney up. Looks like Toney’s saying “I hate you”, I think Baptiste is saying “don’t do that” and Pinnock’s saying “that’s too far”. The guy’s a menace and I’m all for it.
And then you’ve got Richarlison doing this Fair play to Maupay though, he really did get us riled up and it looked to be working. The insta banter between him and Maddison’s been good as well. Like I said last night, you need characters and wind up merchants in football, adds to the atmosphere.
The Brentford niggling attempts were there for all to see, but the COLLECTIVE response from the team (the Maddison celebration copying after scoring, the betting banter to Toney etc) was far more impressive.
I also think Bentancur hasn't been anywhere near his best yet. I guess to be expected after such a long lay off, but I'd prefer early season Bissouma.
Once everyone is back and at pre-injury fitness, I expect a repeat of the first 10 games of the season. Meanwhile the squad has just about got by (but I contend no UEFA land has been costly this season on that front) .
Premier League points earned after their first 22 games in-charge: Klopp at Liverpool: 36 Arteta at Arsenal: 39 Pep at Manchester City: 43 Ange at Tottenham: 43 Ange definitely copying Pep mate
