Not winning the fine margins games has always been our problem. 4 losses by a single goal, 6 wins by a single goal, 11 draws. Compare that to Leicester; 14 wins by a single goal, 2 losses and then 9 draws. That's why Leicester are so far above what anyone thought was possible for them and why we're playing such excellent football yet not top. The defence is what it is. Our back 5 have been really good but our excellent defensive record is a lot down to how we put sides onto the back foot. It might look like a vulnerability out wide but if we didn't have that the game would never open up against most sides as they'd never leave their half, which is bad for us as it leaves us no space to attack. There's a lot for us to be proud of this season in the results but it's the consistently high level of performances that I've enjoyed so much. Pundits like to say football's about winning, "you don't remember who finished second or third" but who could list all the league winners in their lifetime? I bet there are plenty of football fans in England who couldn't give 2 ****s who won the league most seasons(Leicester as the neutral's choice being the big exception this year). Football's entertainment, whether you get that from what's on the pitch or the atmosphere in the stands and I think us Spurs fans have been spoilt rotten for entertainment this season, long may it continue. Credit to Liverpool, that was a great game on Saturday. Not many sides have tried to bring the game to us and come out of it with something
I thought that the game showed what both coaches are trying to achieve with their teams, but that both are still a work in progress. We badly missed Lamela leading the pressing, especially as Son really didn't get anywhere close to replicating his hard work. Another poor game for him, since his return from injury. It looks like the Olympics will disrupt his next campaign too, which is far from ideal. Liverpool came out of the blocks quickly, but virtually ran out of steam at half-time. They could've had a decent lead at half-time, while we got into good positions and failed with the final ball. We started the second period with much more intent and snapped it around well, then went behind. Typical. The response was what we've come to expect, though. Great finish by Kane and attitude from Eriksen. A number of our players looked rather jaded from the international duties. Maybe something that we need to watch. I wouldn't encourage a Fergie-like approach to protecting the squad, but I felt that there was some piss-taking going on by Hodgson, in particular. Only playing Rose for 180 minutes was bad enough, but chucking on a bunch of our players to rescue a draw in a friendly was galling. Not sure how much it influenced the game, but there appeared to be some tired legs out there at times. I felt that we finished strongly though and could've nicked it at the death, if our set-pieces weren't so ****e. We rarely look dangerous from corners, despite scoring quite a few goals from them this season. The stats might suggest otherwise, but we seem to get a ton and waste most of them.
Being a little bit more accurate/clinical this season on all attacking aspects would have made a difference on the points total. But as someone else has recently said, at least there is scope for material improvement.
PNP I totally agree about Lamela. We were not pressing enough on our right hand side and that is where Liverpool's goal came from. With Lamela playing they may not have scored
Not what we bought him for, by any means, but his work defending from the front can be really important. Probably not as crucial when we're playing less effective sides, but another pressing team needs everyone working at 100%.
It'll be interesting to see what direction Poch takes the '3' in over the summer. I think there's no question that he looks for a combination of goals, creativity and tenacity. In Alli, Eriksen and Lamela he almost has that, but they definitely don't score enough goals. Will he go back in for a Berahino type player? Son was clearly signed to be that player but it hasn't quite worked out yet. Maybe Pritchard is the cost-effective answer?
Honestly, I'd expect at least one striker to be signed and Berahino is one possibility. Various alternatives have been mentioned, but I'm not that familiar with them. Batshuayi, Lacazette, Haller? No idea. I'd also expect some adjustments to the three, but we seem pretty loaded up there now, to be honest. Who goes out? Hard to tell. Targets? Bolasie again, perhaps? Mane from our old mates Southampton, maybe? We really need to improve on what we've got, rather than adding to the squad. Pretty hard to do with our budget and wage bill, but who'd have thought that Dier and Alli were going to have such an impact? Might need some more left-field transfers.
So gutted for Pritchard this season. Had the feeling his precociousness was going to result in the season that Dele Alli has had. No more England activity for him until he has played at least 15 competitive senior games for Spurs.
If we're using the rumours as a guide to where we're adding to the squad during the summer Forwards: Sebastian Haller (Utrecht), Jonathan Calleri* (Boca Juniors), Sandro Ramirez (Barca)* Right side: Anwar El Ghazy (Ajax), Andy Najar (Anderlecht) Left side: Christian Cueva Centre: Yunus Malli (Mainz), Mateo Kovacic (Los Ladrones)** Central midfield: Axel Witsel (Zenit), Mahmoud Dahoud (Monchengladbach) * = can also play on the right ** = can also play central midfield Yeah, we probably should start on that summer transfer thread...
Exactly how I feel. Entertainment is the reason I love football, sure I'd love to win trophies as there's no better feeling but being the lucky bastard that I am in having a season ticket now, I've had one of the best seasons of my life this year watching Spurs. Not only have we played unbelievable football for 90% of the season but there's been a real affinity with the players for the first time that I can remember. I don't recall ever feeling at one with the club like I am now, the celebrations from the players and manager after wins just make it so much sweeter and the interaction between the players and fans have been great. Even just the little things have made me smile, when we were 1-0 up against Watford, they had a break on in the dying moments and Lloris came out and claimed the ball, when he done that Toby turned around to the Park Lane and gave a massive roar, the fans roared back at him and it sent shivers down your spine. The celebrations post City were incredible, I wish I was there for that but I was at Palace and so bared witness to Alli's goal of the season, the celebrations after that weren't far off the one at City and the way the fans reacted to Poch coming over was unbelievable. We may not win another trophy for years but if we can replicate this sort of season with the great football coupled with passion and determination from the players to make this club proud then I'll be a happy fan.
What kind of heartache do you prefer...that mid table stuff that the Scousers are used to? Or that almost there kind of feeling......like this season? Don't want to become like Arsenal and be content with sitting still. I hope we get some real power upfront behind Harry. To me that is what we need....We play the best football in the league, that is our trademark which I am proud of. This is the kind of competitive team we have wanted for years. I hope we hold onto this team and just add some power to it....I'm not sure who this player is. I understand the reasoning behind Berahino. He's a fiery little bastard, he does have skill..he can score, he can rotate with Harry during the game in the 2 central positions upfront. I think we would be quite devastating. Especially with Poch refining Berahino as a person. He seems like a kid who needs to grow up and focus..what better place than our set up....look at Alli and Dier..no bullshit from them or Lamela or Toby or Danny or Kyle...and look at their influence and aggressive game. Eriksen is a bit of a wuss for me as is Son and Chadli. We get teams by the neck but we don't snap the neck...we kind of strangle them, but too many get away...we need players in the last 3rd that take it on themselves. Son is too nice for me....runs a lot...but doesn't scare anyone. Eriksen gets the ball but I'm never expecting, more hoping he does a bit of magic. Take Reus....he gets it and he will be a pain in the arse on another level. This is what we need..players that love the smell of blood. This is why I think Lamela is essential for us...he's a dirty Argie and I love it....he plays with the oppositions heads. We got a few of these running through the spine...but when you put Eriksen in that spine...I don't shudder as much as I should. Chadli the same, hated that substitution on Saturday....because I knew this guy was not going to get down and dirty. We need to move up another level in "arseholeness". We have moved on a level..that is so obvious...I hope we build on that and we will be back big time next year.
When you look at the PL fair play table this season, there is more 'hostility' from the players, when compared to the Goons. We have picked up nearly twice as many yellows as them, yet in total only commit about 3 fouls per game than them. And given no reds to date, that means the squad is collectively not crossing the line. So maintaining that, while increasing the 'clinical' ratio in attack and taking the pressing game close to Dortmund levels, will see Spurs climb even higher.
I see the hostility as assertiveness and confidence. That in itself opens up a lot more opportunities. With Eriksen, Son and Chadli I do think they miss a lot of chances to turn the screw in a move. they lack confidence in that last bit so the moves come to nothing. Yeah we are the highest scorers etc....we should be even higher. Can't settle for anything else or we become Arsenal.
Pretty impressive!... please log in to view this image Apr 2 Dan Walker @mrdanwalker Harry Kane hits the target with 6 out of every 10 shots he takes and scores with 1 in 3 of them #Numbers 109125
I don't know the numbers in terms of hits and misses but I'd say Chadli and Eriksen are pretty composed and good in front of goal. Son is irrational but the other two I'd say are up there with the better goal scoring midfielders in the league.
I agree...but the bit before it ends up wasted or in the back of the net...that pass,ball,threat....is not as affective as it should be considering the amount of ball we have in that last 3rd..the area where our front 3 should be scaring the oppo ****less.
Agreed. And this is what continues to frustrate me about Lamela. As much as he puts in a shift every game, he wasn't signed to be a mule. He was signed to be Bale's heir-apparent. He is simply too easy to defend against. Apart from Kane, I don't think we (yet) possess a player who causes the opposition to palpably soil themselves as soon as they get on the ball.
And that is not good enough when we have 4 players in any one game, who hypothetically can play in any role up top. We too tame CK, as fantastic as this season has been..we are too tame when it comes to putting teams to the sword. That's why we have so many draws. Let's see if we get someone in....lets hope CL qualification and a top 2 finish can turn some elite players heads. We still need that Striker because I believe Harry can be our number 10..behind whoever we get in and he would still get us the goals he has been scoring over the past 2 seasons. Failing a striker it has to be a monster of an ACM and Harry up top.
We've scored 8 goals following direct involvement of our full-backs in the league this season: v Aston Villa (Alli) v West Ham (Walker) v Watford (Son) v Sunderland (Kane's penalty after foul on Rose) v Watford (Trippier) v Swansea (Chadli & Rose) v Bournemouth (Kane) Two of these (both at home v Swansea) were from them picking the ball up on the edge of the box and shooting, immediately following corners. One arose (sorry!) from a penalty. One was a shot by Walker and one by Trippier, both from inside the box following passes by others. So, the playing of the ball into the box by our full-backs has brought about 3 goals. Given the amount of ball played into the box from the full-backs, I'd say, it's a pretty thin return. So, is it the ball played in? The lack of runs into the right areas? Poor finishing? I'd go with all three. Given the amount of importance we place on our attacking full-backs, we need to exploit our return. It should be picking low hanging fruit because we're making the openings that should bring more rewards.
