Just tortured myself by watching it back again. First Utd goal is a complete mess. What was Sarr doing?! Even then numerous attempts to clear were missed, and the time the Utd player had for that final cross..... Last gasp equaliser is equally awful. I initially thought Vic could have done more (well he could) but what was Johnson thinking...?
Lots of fans complaining about Frank's defensive mindset when playing at home. We are still in the midst of an injury crisis that started last season. He has to try and protect the players he does have available from also becoming injured in a 2 game a week run. I think we also have to take into account Frank's managerial history and therefore his experience. He spent 3 years at Brondby, a club at the time close to bankruptcy then nearly 7 years at Brentford a club who tried 9 times to win play offs into the PL. He then consolidated their position in the PL over 4 seasons. That IMO is going to breed a manager with defensive antenna. I think all that means he is going to have to prove to himself what the difference is managing a rich club like Spurs. First and foremost, he will want to protect his position as Manager and as his confidence in his players and his team grows, I would expect him to spread his wings more. I would expect that because he is clearly a very bright guy. The impatience of fans is a massive problem for football managers and as a result getting enough time to do the job is always in the end the biggest problem. It's a circular argument because that impatience encourages defensiveness, which encourages impatience. Of course at Spurs we expect attacking football, but not too attacking, as Ange found out. It's a tactical tightrope and that requires balance from us as well as the manager. Once again I find myself hoping this man will get the time to do the job because he clearly has talent as he proved at Brentford. If the club support him in the January window then from February we could be in a very good position with Kulsevski and Solanki back and hopefully at least 1 major signing.
Johnson is appalling defensively. Has zero interest in tracking runners or getting stuck in. Oh for someone with the work rate of Lennon.
Totally agree and I have no issues with what Thomas is trying to achieve. I had an "intensive conversation" about this with the season ticket holder in front of me, or Mr Negative as well all call him. It's going to take time to alter the current mindset of the players from the gung-ho attitude of the previous guy, but you feel when it finally clicks we will be in a much better position.
For me, the first goal could have been prevented by Spence getting tighter on the play that got the assist. Why was so much space given?!? What happened to Spence's penitentiary!?! LOCK HIM UP!! On the second, Why is Johnson the guy that's even meant to mark the big defender? It makes no sense. Back post was left way too open and Vicario could have probably done better with his footing. Also, the ball should have been nowhere near our goal after we went up to 2-1. What happened to seeing the game out and taking the ball to the opposition's corner flag?!? Comedy of errors. What is reassuring is that Thomas Frank should be able to iron out such errors. Also we have the makings of a good young squad coming up if all of the imbalances are worked through and injured players come back. Solanke in this setup with Xavi behind him, Odebert on the left and Kudus on the right should make lighter work of such games. Kulu and Madidson should also make a huge difference.
100% on the 2nd. Out most ineffectual defensive player marking possibly one of their top 3 danger men at set pieces. De Ligt must have thought Christmas had come a month early.... As for the first it gets painfully funnier every time you watch it.
