On the balance of it, a really good performance and we come out of it with both a cushion and some confidence. But they score from what I think was their only shot on target having waltzed 50 yards through little to no resistance. It needlessly sets up the second leg to be far more tense than it had to be. An early goal for them totally changes the complexion of the tie. And with injury worries to Son, Solanke, Maddison, Bergvall and a half-fit Kulusevski, I am suddenly quite nervous.
Thought that was a decent performance. They closed the door a bit in the second half but will have to come out and play at some point in the second leg and that will help us as we got some joy with the balls over the top in the first half. Disappointed to concede like that but it’s advantage Spurs. Bissouma didn’t have the ****show I was expecting but I’m still praying for a Bergvall return in the second leg.
still, there’s no excuse. We’ve just shown that we can put 3 past them, and could have scored more tonight.
Agreed. On paper we’re levels above this lot. I’ve maintained throughout the season I think we’re good enough to win this, it’s just Ange has sowed doubt with his amateur management. But we should be going to Norway next week looking to leave with a victory, not just to see out the first leg result.
Great night. **** their 1, we’ll get a couple next week. My 4 year old is going to love this flag in the morning
I know it was a semi-final, but the crowd were really up for this one, even well before kick-off. The noise at the start and through the first goal was hearing damaging. It just goes to show what things could be like if we were playing decent, attacking football regularly. It's a shame that we conceded, but the subs didn't really work out and hurt our structure. Starting with both of our strikers should've meant that Scarlett made the bench, for me. Mikey Moore was never going to get on the pitch and we had two keepers, too.
The best thing about yesterday was the fans. They were absolutely superb. Unfortunately only circa 400 fans will be allowed at next week’s game but I’m sure they will be in good spirit. Fantastic performance from the team. I would have been more confident if spurs grabbed a fourth goal rather than conceded one. Bodo’s home record terrifies me and I keep having flashbacks to the horrors of playing at Tamworth. We need Maddison and Solanke fit because we suffered when they came off. Let’s hope Kulu gets more minutes against West Ham. He needs to find his rhythm. Also hoping Bentancur gets a rest on Sunday before next week’s game. Actually, let’s as many as we can! Really hope we reach the final as it falls on my birthday. Winning it would be a wonderful birthday present!
Let's all not go overboard please... It was a good performance for around 60 minutes, but as soon as we lost Solanke and Maddison the wheels started coming off again. Kulusevski is taking an age to get up to speed and his lack of mobility, together with us not having a target man for the last quarter hindered the teams ability to maintain any sort of pressure. Johnson contributed one thing all game, in the 37th second, but I cannot recall anything else of note and his seeming lack of commitment to harry and close down the opposition puts a lot of pressure on Porro (who, together with Udogie, was excellent). Bentancur and Bissouma were greatly improved (although the latters tendency to drop too deep gave far too much space to their MF.) I'm afraid that the biggest takeaway from last night was a reinforcement of the belief that the coach doesn't have a grip on game management. Oh well, we only have a week to see if we can get through....and then lose to United in the Final
Aside from the late goal a memorable night for a rare trip down mid week! The atmosphere was astonishing, especially in the first half. I don't think I've ever heard it that loud and so nice to be rewarded with two flags to offset the pain of season ticket renewal.. I seem to be the only one who was not overly impressed with Bissouma, who I thought was wasteful. Bentancur was probably MOTM for me, ran everywhere. Johnson was dog s*** and anonymous aside from the goal. As already stated by a few, the sub's again changed the dynamic, especially Kulosveski who I'm afraid is nowhere near it at the moment. Anyway, a sensible booking the morning off after work for a nice lie in was a wise idea..
Solanki coming off for me changed the whole thing and made the last 15 a bit more nervy than it should have been.
Standard Johnson then . He really is such a bloody enigma. Excellent goal grabber but it’s hard to remember another player who is so genuinely **** at everything else. If he keeps popping up with goals and we can somehow cover his invisibility elsewhere then I won’t complain (much! lol). I found it interesting last night though that Bentancur, along with Maddison, Udogie and Porro were all played in their preferred positions and/ or roles and all put in great performances. Bentancur took on a more box-to-box role that he flourished under Conte in. Maddison was deployed as the ten and not some weird looking LM. Udogie and Porro played as FBs not inverted weirdos. Isn’t it mad that our players actually look like footballers and not raffle winners when they’re played to their strengths. Might have taken Ange almost two years to realise this but providing he persists with it we may just have an unbelievable end to our season!
