That's right, I said it. Now, there is no place for AVB or the players to hide, no bullshit for the likes of Defoe to spout about us walking into the CL. We were a mess, today. And, yes, I know, we need time to gel. Indeed, that is the very theme of this thread. So, let's stop pretending that we have bought ourselves a top 4 team, because all we have done is bought ourselves a different team. A team of talent individuals, I'll grant you, but not a top 4 team. Not yet. If we had scraped a draw against Arsenal, we'd all be patting one another on the back saying, "we didn't do too badly." The fact is, boys - and it pains me to have to admit it - we couldn't even beat a team that Villa trounced 1-3 on their own turf. So, what kind of thumping can we expect from Villa? AVB and the players have got to get their little act together and they have got to get it together fast. I'll forgive them all for this humiliation if they learn their collective lessons and move on from this defeat. Yes, I want to see the team working together, etc, but I want, more than anything else, to see some balls on display, because they were lacking for most of today's game. Does Soldado actually move when he doesn't have the ball? I was not impressed with him. Okay, so we pressed hard at the end of the second half, but it was too little too late, and against a side that ought not to be finishing anywhere near the top 4 this season. Perhaps it was merely the case that Arsenal lifted themselves for this game, as they generally do, and it will be business (ie Villa) as usual for the rest of the season, but I saw far too much complacency about our team today, and I expect arses to be kicked, and to be kicked hard, from the manager down.
This two week break has come at the right time for me. A defeat can sometimes be the greatest motivator to improve and over the past couple of seasons, we've gone on good runs after a disappointing defeat. But to judge us as "a mess" after three games into the season is a little harsh. We lost by one goal, not 5-2 again! This team needs time so let's give them that. We signed 7 players so can we really expect them to gel overnight? If we signed no one in the transfer window, we'd be screaming blue murder. We got what we wanted. Now let AVB do his job.
I've pretty much said the same mate. We've got 2 weeks now for the new lads to gel and learn/ understand AVB's tactics. I think we'll see a very different Spurs vs Norwich.
Your sentiments about losing to Villa don't really add up because City thumped Newcastle 4-0 then lost to Cardiff so the first match of the season doesn't mean too much and it was two penalties which beat Arsenal not open play goals. As yet we don't know for sure who's going to finish top four so you can't automatically say that Arsenal will or Utd for that matter. Utd are used to winning and they are scoreless in two matches and have been showing signs of petulance when things don't go their way. It'll only take a couple of more defeats and Utd will start to lose their composure and cracks will get bigger. I'm not glad we lost to Arsenal but I'm not too disappointed either. For me the break has come too soon in the season because these players must get to know each other and fast so the more matches early on the better. I guess that's it.
HIAG if you had won, you'd be shouting from the roof tops that you're on track for a minimum of top four. BTW I think you'll finish 3rd, behind City and Chelsea. Man Utd look completely lost without Fergie.
Hi guys,just back from a two week break to see Bale go,and us losing to the goons,i expected that really as we were away,but the real reason is it will take at least 10 games imo,before we start to gell,saw some flashes of it though
but aren't a lot of the lads going to be away on international duty, therefore not together training? Welcome back Tots.
I am glad it weren't 5 - 2 again but other than that i was gutted...i really hate losing in the norf London derby ... But wouldn't lay into the team ... Way too early to judge.
So we gain absolutely nothing from the international break. As ****ing usual. guess I'll be looking to see what's on at the cinema...
Both, surely. They'll join up with their countries today, then matches on Friday/Saturday and Tuesday/Wednesday, rejoin Wednesday or Thursday before the weekend. I guess the only upside is that it gives AVB a bit of space to plan how to set the team up. As yet, he hasn't got it right.
To be honest I don't actually know who's away on duty and for how long they'll be gone for. Hopefully there's not too many out (cue the 20 man list of players away now )
Yeah plus the jetlag few, by the time everyones back you still only get two decent sessions before your next PL game if you're lucky. As for AVB having time, yeah again, he needs it!
We didn't play well but the match could have gone either way. If we had scored first I would have fancied us to win the match as well. On Soldado I have been fairly disapointed so far. He can take a good penalty granted, but he hasn't done enough yet to justify the price we paid. It's very early days and I'm being harsh but if Adebayor had put in a perfomence like Soldado did yesterday we would be giving him loads of grief on here.
Arsenal tend to do better when they aren't favourites but comparisons with the Villa game aren't fair. Villa went to the Emirates with a better and more cohesive attacking unit, but everywhere else on the pitch Spurs were far stronger hence they dominated possession and Villa hardly had any just opting to counter.
The possession stat is misleading, our possession was in the wrong area of the pitch, the Goons were happy for us to mess around from side to side in front of them, dominate the match we did not. We all talked hopefully of a good start and once again a variety of reasons have messed that up. Having said that I'd rather start slow and finish strongly, than start fast and fade away as we have done a couple times.
We have been very poor going forward and the understanding is not there yet - that will come with time. Unfortunately the signings that will really make the difference in the final third have only just signed (Lamela & Eriksen) - Chadli needs more time to get used to the pace of the premiership as well. The season has only just begun and we will have good strength in depth once all the players settle which could be the telling factor when the fixtures start piling up.
