3-1 FT. Thank **** for that. Made it difficult for ourselves, as usual. Strolled through virtually all of the game, got sloppy and nearly blew it. We really need to work on that sort of thing, even when it doesn't cost us.
"Made it difficult for ourselves, as usual. Strolled through virtually all of the game, got sloppy and nearly blew it. We really need to work on that sort of thing, even when it doesn't cost us." A mixture of the Stoke game and a lot of the 2011-12 season. Another sign that the pressing game is dropping off in the last 20 mins.
The thing about the score being pulled back to 2-1 is that, more often than not, our team kicks it up a gear when we get kicked up the backside - the problem is that said backside kicking is often self-inflicted. Still, is there anything more satisfying than knowing a goal is inevitable like that half second between Lamela squaring the ball and Kane thumping it into the back of the net? That's what we want to see a lot more of!
Conflicted about that game. First hour was good, going through the motions a bit but we were comfortably getting the job done. Then Villa started working their way into the game and we looked oblivious to the pressure building, followed by conceding and nearly collapsing like we did against Stoke. On the positive, at least we sorted ourselves out eventually and killed the game late on. That Gestede header going wide was a huge let off though. Good start to the season overall, a point off 4th and 5 off top. Can't be upset with that. 10 games unbeaten, 17/21 points taken in the last 7 matches. Most issues seem to be getting fixed pretty quickly after they appear too, defence is much more solid overall after a poor start and we're starting to score more after a run of games where we hadn't been clinical. I still worry about a lack of leadership though and I think it showed again tonight with a near collapse late on in the game.
Dembele going off was a mistake IMO. He keeps possession and he's experience sitting in the middle of the pitch that the youngsters need in times like that
Vertonghen's post-match interview will be getting replayed a few times, I think. Nightmare start, but he kept digging and got out of it, somehow.
Not quite a third of the PL season gone, and the positives are a GD in double figures and conceding less than one per game.
Also, Dier, Alli and Mason were really poor defensively in the last 20 minutes. Villa found themselves with time and space on the edge of the area 3 or 4 times, scored one and hit the post with one and I've no idea where any of those players were at those points but they weren't anywhere near where they should've been. Alli, Lamela and Rose were really good though, I thought.
Yeah I thought Lamela was possibly man of the match. He has so much skill and works tirelessly. He still does make a few frustrating mistakes but overall he looks so much better this season
I didn't realise that our next 3 premier league fixtures are: Arsenal (a) West Ham (h) Chelsea (h) !!
Only watched part of the game. It seemed clear to me that we took our foot off the pedal somewhat at 2-0, and almost paid for it!. However, with three important games to be played in 6 days ( ****ing ridiculous!) it's partially understandable.
Yeah, he'd have been my MOTM too but it wasn't really a game with a standout player for me. Good to see him playing much better this season, he started the season poorly and you thought "here we go again" but he's kept at it and turned it around.
Stop me if this sounds familiar... - Started his Spurs career blighted by injuries - Had a millstone around his neck for a couple of seasons - Was on the verge of being loaned out, only to get a last-minute reprieve If you haven't figures it out, here it is again... - Started his Spurs career blighted by injuries/Started his Spurs career blighted by injuries - We never won a league game with him playing for two years/His transfer fee was a stick to beat him over the head with - Nearly loaned to Birmingham/Nearly loaned to Marseilles I can't be alone in noticing this? Hopefully there will be a time where comparisons between Lamela and Bale become a lot less superficial - apart from on Football Manager...
Agree with all this and would add that all this while coping with quite a heavy injury list most weeks...Rose, Dembele, Bentaleb, Son, Mason & Njie have all missed several games this season through injuries.
