Match Day Thread Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

I still think we went down the pan when Deli went off (wasn't happy!) and Ericson came on to do his usual nothing.

 

I think Mourinho is struggling to find his Plan B with these boys, and it's not his fault. Poch never had a plan b so our lads need to be taught about it.

Mourinho is a tactical genius. He will get our boys up to speed, because they are decent players. But it will take time.

These boys want to play for him, in a way they did for Poch at the start.

Finally, let's not forget that this is the first game away from home we've won in 19. That deserves praise.

 

Me and my lad noticed that!

 

First away prem league win in 13 games.

 

Me and my lad discussed this. Cameras showed him speaking to both Rose and Eriksen, and we both agreed he said something like "You've got 20 minutes to prove yourself to me, or you can **** right off. "

 

I like to exaggerate for wum value.

 

I know HIAG...

 

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho speaking to Match of the Day: "It’s not about me, it’s about the players and the club. The team was too long without a victory away from home.

"The most important thing is for the players to have that smile, to go to the dressing room away from home, music on, smile on their faces and happiness. I am looking forward to the next game on Tuesday.

"I am really happy to be with this boys, and I told Daniel Levy when he contacted me the first time: I like the players very much, and I think they know this and they feel it.

"I learnt that the players want to win and want to sacrifice themselves for the team, I am just here to help them.

"I am just here to help them. I will hate if somebody say 'Jose made an impact'. I made no impact. Nothing. I just helped them a little bit to win this match."

 

Tottenham's Dele Alli speaking to Match of the Day: 'It was a good result, I am happy that we won the game, it was a very positive performance from us.

'It has been a very difficult week, there’s no hiding how much Pochettino meant to the players and in particularly me. I can’t thank him enough for what he did for me.

On Mourinho's impact: 'We did not really changed to much, just a few little tweaks, maybe a few changes in the way we press.

'It is still early days, I am feeling good and strong, it is a positive result today and we need to go in every game with confidence.

 

Interesting comments about not going to the fans and Moura's goal being from something in training.

 

When he thinks that an important result has come due to his
selection/tactical nous, then I expect him to go full "special one" .

Until then, tis obvious the agreed script is to be low key (whatever is
possible for him) , and not disrespect Pochettino for the end times.

 

The obvious thing with Eriksen is he's a player who thrives when a teammate creates space for him, which is something he gets when he has a Dembele, Sissoko or Ndombele marauding through the middle - but with the Winks/Dier pivot today there wasn't anyone creating space through the middle so no pockets of space for him to operate in, so not only was he ineffective but considering the Spammers were getting their teeth into the game he was the worst player to bring on at the time

 

Nothing wrong with Spurs that bringing in a proven winner can't fix, just like I've been saying.

 

I missed the first 20 minutes but the the rest of the first half I saw was positive with all passes going forward and some fast counter attacking football. Dier's passing was often out of kilter but he did bring a measure of control into midfield that was better than recent weeks. When Eriksen came on we lost that control, down to him or general team tiredness not sure but it was not a step up.
I expect Mourinhio to know the capabilities of his new squad and he will probably ignore recent form on the basis of trying to re-energise the players with their proven quality. I suppose having the new high profile manager does inject a new interest into watching Spurs and it certainly raises our world profile even higher.
Thanks to Pochettino Spurs are now recognised as a leading club, it's easy to forget that before him the pundits didn't even expect us to make top 4 and when we did with Redknapp it was seen as a sort of one hit wonder just as Kane was a one season wonder. The surprise this season has been that we were not challenging at the top as most pundits expected. What Pochettino achieved was immense and I for one won't forget it I just hope we can build on his legacy and it might just take the worlds most high profile manager at his best to do that.

 

I think with Mourinho we may still be able to achieve something with the same group of players, albeit with one or two additions. Poch's philosophy was to can players once they didn't want run/press for him anymore and this showed in his treatment of said players and others that he didn't really fancy anymore (Moura, Dier, etc.) got the same. Fine if you move them on quickly; a downward spiral if you can't.
Those players aren't suddenly **** (not all of them anyway) and a different philosophy may still bring out the best from players that, as some have said, should be at their peak. I hope that Poch can learn something too; adapt his philosophy when necessary to at least still get a tune out of those players he no longer wants so that other teams will come in for them. Poch rubbed too many players up the wrong way in the end and was the author of his own demise.

 

I'm not sure it was Pochettino who rubbed them up the wrong way, surely it was more likely about more money or a new challenge. Hence why a change of manager can alter that situation. It could be that Toby and Jan will rise to that with Eriksen it's harder challenge I think. I agree with you that the current squad can still achieve and go on to higher things although it remains to be seen if in NDombelle and Celso we have the required midfield because IMO Sissoko as good as he has been and as committed as he has been is not in reality as good a player as we need in that position. People critisise Winks who in a different way has more promise while Sissoko has gone from club donkey to club hero, when again IMO he is still far too agricultural for a club with aspirations to win the league.

 

Overall - 6.5/10 for Jose's first game for Spurs.

First 30 mins -5.5/10- - fairly turgid, lots of possession, but no real movement and end product. Looked like Utd under Mourinho
Middle 30 mins -9/10 - the front four looked so dynamic either side of half time and West Ham couldn't contain them.
Last 30 mins - 5.5/10 - went to defending the lead too early, which gave West Ham hope and put unnecessary pressure on the defence.

Of the players running down their contracts, only Alderweireld started. Jose won't be trying to appease the others. They're either in or out. If they don't want to play, he'll happily leave them on the sidelines.
A great performance from Alli. What got into him all of a sudden after being off his game for so long?
Dier made some mistakes, but he did provide that protection in front of the back four and ability to break up the play you do need. He should be a regular starter now.