Midfield creativity Christian Eriksen might be the man to change that. Sigurdsson and Townsend are effectively operating as wide attackers rather than suppliers, with four Premier League goals and no assists between them so far this season. Paulinho is the man described by Juan Roman Riquelme as the 'Tropical Lampard' so it is no great surprise that he should prefer the role of bursting into the box from deep rather than creating for others. Lewis Holtby is a fine athlete too. But the young Dane is different. Eriksen assisted 17 goals in the Eredivisie last season and has shown glimpses of this quality in the Europa League already this season. But just one assist from 333 minutes of Premier League action suggests it may take a little longer to produce a similar return in England's top flight. A total of just six goals from open play - the same as Norwich, who sit in the relegation zone - indicates that his imagination is much needed if Tottenham are to get that midfield balance right. It's not all bad Amid all the concerns, there are obvious signs of encouragement. Villas-Boas has a well-drilled team with the second-best defensive record in the league, having conceded just five goals so far this season. It's no coincidence either. They are one of only three teams to conceded fewer than 10 shots per game and this defensive reliability has allowed them to rack up four 1-0 wins already this term. In short, they are winning matches. Recent research by StatsBomb indicates that this ability to restrict opponents is a familiar trend for Villas-Boas teams. While Chelsea were a conspicuous success under Roberto Di Matteo, they conceded significantly more shots following the exit of their Portuguese coach. In addition, Villas-Boas has sparked a marked decrease in the number of shots Tottenham are conceding in comparison to the reign of his predecessor. Conclusion There is a lot right with Tottenham at the moment. As a result, perhaps patience and cautious optimism should be the watchwords. After all, it's worth noting that some of the criticisms valid of Roberto Mancini's Manchester City side in the season before their title triumph are applicable here. This is a defensively strong team succeeding in controlling matches without really firing as they might. If Villas-Boas finds the right blend and as is able to unleash his players, things could be anything but dull for those sceptical Spurs supporters."
One thing that I don't remember being mentioned is the number of Sunday games and early Saturday kick-offs that we've had, both of which are detrimental to the atmosphere at the ground. Even when we're not playing in the Europa, like this week for example, we seem to end up without a 3pm Saturday start. The only game that we've played at the normal time this season was Norwich, which was also our best performance.
Agreed. I think 3pm kick offs are more exciting because it feels like you have everything to gain from winning, not just the fear of losing your place to Soton/City etc.
4 through balls and 9 offsides? There's your training for the week AVB. We're offside twice per through ball
I think for tonights game we should experiment. See if the team is ready for either: 4-3-3 With a holding player - Sandro/Dembele And 2 attacking mids - Paulinho/Holtby/Erriksen - these players actualy have to get into the box though, or get balls into the box in threatening positions for Soldado etc to score. or 4-4-2 Sandro/Dembele and Paulinho in the middle, balanced with 2 of Defoe/Ade/Soldado up front we need to find a way to be more attacking at home. Rodgers found a way with the 3 at the back. we could do this also, and have 2 up front. Like it or not, the team has not gelled, and untill it does something has to give. We are doing so much right, but getting goals or at least finding ways to create them has to be our number 1 priority at the moment. I watch City, Arsenal and Chelsea attack and they look like they are re-creating set plays from training. We don't look like we have any set plays, ever, even from dead balls. I find this very strange.
Fans need to man up. We criticise every single decision AVB makes, unless we prosper from it. Maybe Avb is putting his heart into the project at Spurs...and he feels as though the team could do with some positive backing from the fans....especially more so when we are not firing on all cylinders...still sat 3 points off the top may I add. So bloody what if he said that? Fans are not beyond criticism. I'm surprised they are not criticised more due to their fickle nature!
1882 will be there tonight in block J(shelf) Next week for EL game against Sheriff we will be in 35. Listen out and if you are at the game join in. Yes the press will have a field day tomorrow saying how AVB helped create the atmosphere with his words but these games were decided long ago.
"Yes the press will have a field day tomorrow saying how AVB helped create the atmosphere with his words but these games were decided long ago." You need some songs with "1882" in them (can see the press writing about supporters singing about 1882, with no clue whatsoever as to the meaning) .
yep it's an 1882 game and I'm as excited about that as the team news, which is a lot, BTW I'm feeling a lot more optimistic about this season today, here's hoping for a win and some loud SUPPORT!
AVB choreographed the drama expertly tonight. 8-7 on pens at going up to 11 at night. The fans can't have been bored and complaining tonight, surely?
