I can't believe how bad Villa were - we didn't get out of second gear and were still miles better than them apart from a fifteen minute spell
Still a better read than the "Harry Kane's a one-season wonder, he hasn't scored this season" Narrative we were getting from the papers until a couple of weeks back...
Which instantly switched to "Kane's Signing For Man Utd/Bayern/Real Madrid/Brazil!" as soon as he started scoring again.
Do you remember that annoying villa fan on the bbc 606 site? He was called Holt legends or something like that ... Always bringing up meaningless facts to prove villa were better than spurs...god knows why he was so fixated on us. When we play them I often wonder how he copes with them being so awful each season.
Well, that was my first 'live' match for a long while. Atmosphere was a bit flat, which is understandable for a ridiculous monday night fixture, especially one that rarely got out of 2nd gear. I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't go 'all out' to thrash teams who are there for the taking until our squad is back to full strength (which at Spurs is basically two games per season), and the fixture list isn't as demanding as it is currently. I thought the back 4 was superb - Rose and Walker in particular - until that 10 minutes of madness that I think we need every game to satisfy some Korean corporate sponsors because frankly I can't think of a more reasonable explanation. Alli and Dier both very solid and lively in the middle of the park, although Alli did drift out of the games for stretches. Same can be said for Dembele but his goal was superbly taken and he generally looked more confident and forward-thinking in possession so fair play to him. Lamela continues to baffle me. For a player with such a skill set and deftness of touch, he really doesn't impact games as much as he could or should. Stacked up next to Eriksen and there's no comparison. Having said that, for the last 15 minutes he was immense, doing the defensive work of 3 players then contributing a key assist to wrap things up. Overall, delighted to keep the unbeaten run going into the NL derby. Also quite relieved that YV's prediction didn't come true as it was quite chilly in the Paxton Upper and what with us on the brink of the top 4 , I wasn't fancying a season long ban from all stadia across the country. MOTM for me would be Alli. Simply staggering what this lad has learnt and developed since joining and he will be world class in a few years time at this rate. Excellently taken goal that many far older players would've scuffed or snatched at; shows a poise and maturity beyond his years
A ten match unbeaten run obviously does what it says on the tin. Yes, there are issues with the team, dull periods of play, backwards passing and the team is crying out for a Modric player, while we're still struggling to find the right blend behind Kane. That aside, you have to focus on results and much like Avb in his first season, he forced us doubters to respect the results produced, until they could no longer hide his flaws. The real test is how we deal with a loss of form, which will happen and If Pochettino finds himself in a position of top four and juggling Europe, can he learn from the mistakes of Avb? Anyway, on we go, three London derbies and you feel there is momentum building , taking advantage of Chelseas shambolic season. One thing that is certain, as mentioned, is Alli, we've obviously signed a great talent, he has the ability to be as proflic as say Lampard, while possessing greater technical ability. Hopefully Alli can enjoy north london derbies as much as Jenas did, if that happens then he's already world class
I could just hear Jonesey calling out "don't panic Mr Mannering!" after Villa got their in off. I know I was......
The goal machine that is Moussa Dembélé bags his second in two games, GD 10, Lamela gets an assist with his right foot, two straight wins by multiple goals...really can’t complain. As good as Davies has been this year, the pace and width Rose adds are an ingredient the team really benefits from. I remember Dembélé saying he needed to score more. I can picture Pochettino telling him that, and him saying, "Oh, okay. Why didn’t you mention that earlier?" It is strange he’s hardly ever scored before, given his skill and the fact he has a decent shot. Maybe the problem was he didn’t know he was supposed to put the ball in the net. I’m happy for Lamela. He’s worked through adversity and come out the other end looking more and more like the player we paid big money for. He has displayed character and deserves good fortune.
Was at the Lane last night for the first time in ages, great to be back. Atmosphere seemed a little flat (Monday night I guess, actually think I've never been on a Monday before) but I have to say the Villa fans were good throughout. Dembele had a decent game but I think he'll be dropped when Son is back and I have to say I'm looking forward to it. Partly because I think we're more balanced with Son in the side but also because he provides an out ball and a bit of pace, something we've lacked. We were crying out for a bit of pace out wide to stretch the game in the second half last night when we went flat, instead it kept going down dead ends as Kane or Eriksen or Lamela aren't quite quick enough to stretch their men, or Rose/Walker would get the ball with nobody ahead of them and not quite enough space to put on the gas and break forward, and the play would break down. Dembele has been alright in the last few weeks and I'll credit him for that even as one of his biggest critics, but he hasn't dispelled any perceptions about his game for me, so I think I'd drop him when Son is fit. Son is just a better fit for what we need in that 3 behind Kane. I think we were worth the win against an admittedly very poor Villa side, and that we have a way to go if we're going to make a mark in the Derby. Hopefully with some players back (Alli looking a little tired but Mason is back, and Son back too hopefully) we'll be rejuvenated and ready to put down a marker.
Not seen any "we'll finish above Spurs this year!" posts on my Facebook time line this weekend from deluded West Ham fans so that's been an added bonus on top of our win last night. Was a pretty basic, straight forward victory. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a Spurs fan who thought we wouldn't win last night, Villa have been woeful beyond measure and our current run made us huge favourites and I think we showed that at times. We switched off in the second half for about 15 minutes and sods law Villa were able to capitalise on that but we dominated the game otherwise, a very easy win, which isn't usually something associated in the Premier League. Dembele done superb to hold of Clark for his goal, he could've chosen to have gone down inside the box as the guy was literally hugging him at one point but he's such a unit on the ball that it evidently didn't bother him. Alli finished very neatly with that low volley, just deserved for the lad who's been very impressive since joining. Delighted for Harry too, he worked hard last night and wasn't getting much joy, taking some knocks along the way, I think that was his only real shot on target too so it shows his composure and concentration in front of goal is back, was a lovely finish as well, must have been a good 10 passes in the build up from so a real total football goal. Great seeing Onomah given his League debut, got involved nicely which is good to see, think he saw and dreamed of being on today's headlines when he tried shooting from distance but fair play to him for having a go, was also involved in the build up to our third so I'm sure he'll be satisfied with with his contribution. Mason had a shocking time on the pitch, was rarely involved when he came on and it was him who gave the ball away for Villa's goal, if I'm honest I don't think Poch needed to make that sub anyway as Mousa was having a good game but maybe he felt Mason's all action style was needed for the final 20/25 minutes. Lloris wasn't too great which is a rarity, was lucky Gestede didn't get a better connection when he was beaten by the striker after he rushed off his line to try and clear the aerial ball. Thought the defence was solid - again! With the full backs outshining the centre backs. Alli again continues to look beyond his years, Mousa was again very good, Lamela looked lively and Kane seems to be finding those scoring boots again. MOTM for me, and it's becoming quite a regular occurrence here, was Eric Dier - although it was a close call this time as I could've easily gone for one of Rose, Walker, Dembele & Alli. Yet again I don't think he lost a single tackle he went in for, made neat & tidy passes and he was a calm yet dominating presence in front of that back line, it's no coincidence that his move to DM coupled with Toby's arrival has seen us look much improved defensively. A great three points leading up to our next Prem game against that scum in red (via Anderlecht at home).
My take on that is it is needed as we play at such a high tempo. It's like Barcelona under Pep where Barcelona would press and harry the opposition for 10 minutes or so but then play the next 10 minutes at a slower pace just passing the ball around. This way they conserve energy (and then be able to press for the entire match without tiring) and also run the opposition into the ground more. I think that is what we are trying to do and seem to be getting better at with each game. But, yes, it can be insufferably dull to watch as a fan.
Mason looked well short of match fitness still which isn't surprising given that he's played 15 minutes in over a month. I also don't think it's a good idea to have him and Alli on the pitch at the same time as both are too similar in style. We settled almost instantly when Onomah came on as he offers something different and gave Villa something to think about for the last 5 minutes. Dembele was playing well but we were comfortably in control and it's crucial that Ryan builds fitness as we enter a very packed month of fixtures. And yes, a huge part of the possession football game is making your opponent do most of the running in the least dangerous areas of the pitch. It is impossible to maintain a breakneck pace for 90 minutes at this level, especially as the weather worsens and fixtures pile up. Against Liverpool, Swansea, Sunderland and yesterday we looked by far the more awake team in the last 5 minutes, which shows that Pochettino's efforts are beginning to reap dividends. This will improve when Mason and Son get back to full fitness as both players have fantastic engines.
Dier is a huge asset to the team and looks like a future England captain to me that is if Ali doesn't get the nod first. Although the performance was not entirely convincing (your game tends to get dragged down against inferior opponents) it is another in an increasingly impressive run. When you consider that we have both Son and Benteleb to come it's hard not to get over excited.
I thought it was interesting that Verts made a point in his post match interview, of saying that he hoped Ali would stay with the club for a long time.
Vertonghen himself has had better games since Toby, Dier and Ali have been added. In hindsight you have to say the last transfer window was massive for us.
It will soon be 'Alli to Man Utd/ Real/ Barca. That kid is going to be a star! It will take a lot of money for anybody to be able to even think about buying him one day very soon. A lot of money!...
I would be concerned if Pochettino looks at the current midfield and believes they have the passing ability to play successfully like the old Barca, as any footballer can pass the ball backwards but to keep the ball like Barca could, with their dynamic passing ability, vision and calmness, isn't going to be achieved with footballers like Dembele, Dier, Lamela, Eriksen and Chadli. We actually had similar discussions on here when Avb was manager, trying to play like Barca, with footballers that dont have that ability, there are many similarities between the managers and while I accept Pochettino is slightly more likable, the football is useful to record, replay when you need a little help falling asleep!
