'' I can't understand what AVB is trying to do tactically '' Every commentator will use that when watching us.
it's ok guys, even though we're not scoring goals, we have a great defensive record. we're a hard side to beat, don't forget.
You mean the manager who got us top four with players like Defoe and Lennon who aren't top four quality. I remember him!
And the BBC stats are showing the fallacy of stats to the scoreline. Every PL opponent is happy to let Spurs have possession knowing their slow sideways game is in the middle third of the pitch.
First, credit to Man City, who deserved to beat us by a mile. Second, the good: Lennon looked better on the right. Paulinho and Sandro won the battle in midfield (till it became a route). Walker continued to try hard. The bad, in order: We can't keep holding the ball up every time we get it, and so depriving ourselves of a chance to score against a disorganized defense. Through most of the first half, we had most of the ball, but held the ball up every time we got it, waiting till Man City were good and ready before going forward, and so faced a packed defense every time. Man City's fewer chances were against two or three defenders, out of position and unsure what to do, because they broke at pace (and, of course, did so with very talented players.) Lamela was not up to it, losing the ball to every challenge. Kaboul was appalling and Dawson little, very little, better. Think one or two fans might have the smallest desire to second guess AVB? Here a re a couple of topics besides the slow buildup I've already bemoaned: 1. Why not set up as against Everton? Lamela really hurt us. The inverted wingers and Townsend may produce nothing but they've never given up goals. 2. Why no Dembele? Before he came here we had very no success against Man U, a little against Man City. We'd won two and drawn one against the Mancs in the last three games with him starting. Sit him and it's 5-0 and counting. He does better against the best teams. I understand Chiriches may be hurt. We desperately needed him, not to mention Rose. Holtby didn't get the job done.
Without crouch, Defoe and Lennon, we would never have signed Vdv or seen Modric and Bale develop further.
