We were below average but done enough to secure the points, which was the most important thing. Though we were massively understrength squad wise. Vertonghen, Chiriches, Paulinho, Dembele, Chadli, Walker and Sandro weren't in the squad, mainly due to late returnees and players returning from injury. You could make a case for all 8 of those possibly being in the first XI so to go to West Ham fairly depleted showed good character from the players, especially when we were down to 10. Of the 8 that missed out, only Chiriches is likely to be the one who will need a few more weeks before being in contention as he was injured throughout all of the summer and I think he has only just returned to training (Walker may be ready in a week or so). The rest should be in some form of contention for our game with you (hopefully). Eriksen wasn't as bad as Gullit made out, though there's no hiding the fact that by the standards he set last season, it wasn't anywhere near that level. Lamela I think was trying too hard due to the nightmare season he had last year with injuries and form. His time will soon come though, I truly believe that. We're going to need probably a good 5 more league games to be at a solid level, that should be enough for the players to understand Poch's ideas and philosophy and then from there on to build on that further, so it's probably an ideal time to face us early while we're still getting into the swing of things. I'm expecting a tough game when you guys come to town, Harry is a fantastic manager - as all Spurs fans know - and will no doubt be coming here with a point to prove, as any manager would against their former club. At home we really should be winning though, that's no disrespect to you guys but on paper we have a better squad and the home advantage should see us through. Football's a funny old game though and anything can happen. Aside from our games, I'll wish you boys well, I'll always be extremely grateful to Harry, it was under him that I saw some of the best football Spurs have played in my 24 years so wherever he manages I hope it goes well for him.
Good points Thor- I hadn't considered the Arry' effect. This must be his first time back in the opposite dugout? He's got a weird release clause based on the final PL standings last season: £8.5 mill to the top 4, £11mill to 5th&6th, £15mill to anyone else. To be honest £11mill is a snip in the current climate- and he's easily worth it. I almost hope he doesn't play too well at the weekend... Thanks for all the insight YV- great stuff. I think for the very reason you've highlighted, Harry will bring in Onouha for Dunne. He's got a 100m sprinting background so should remedy the pace issue a bit. My hope is that the early red will have curtailed attempts to play yourselves back into form after preseason. You've only got 30mins of 11aside competitive football under your belts so far...which might mean cobwebs remain. Maybe clutching at straws a bit! Cheers for the well-wishes SOS No disrespect taken- I'm sure you'd feel you should be beating any bottom-half team at home. It does sound like your side is in a state of flux currently though, and is probably yet to gel fully. Factor in Pochettino's recent arrival...and arguably if there's ever a time to play Spurs at WHL- it's now, at the start of the season. We played surprisingly well Vs Hull, and probably should've won. A similar level of performance...whilst introducing Isla & Onouha, and I'm predicting 1-1. Here's the likely starting11 for anyone who's interested: Green Caulker Ferdinand Onouha Isla Barton Mutch Faurlin Traore Austin Remy
and remy's pace potentially tearing us a new one. However, that midfield Grifter's posted looks very average, IMO. Even our misfit midfielders should be able to win that battle.
When Walker is fit, does anything think he would be worth a punt playing further forward as the right sided player in the attacking three? He couldn't do any worse than Lennon could he? Lloris Dier Verts Musuccio* Davies Sandro/Schneiderlin* Holtby/Bentaleb Walker Eriksen Lamela Ade/Kane
I used to think it would be worth a shot, but nowadays i'm not so sure. Ideally we need all of those 3 to threaten (and score) the goal. Walker nor Lennon really do that. Townsend threatens the spectators behind the goal
If it were me in charge, I'd be looking to get some money for Lennon and use the funds (Plus more maybe) to get another top winger, with Townsend as the back up/rotation option for both wing players (new player & Lamela). I'm basing this on the fact that I don't think Chadli will be with us come the end of the window.
“For us it was very good Walker played right winger because when he plays right back I have to control it in a different way. And I have to give a defensive job to my left winger. When Walker plays against Azpilicueta, he was in the pocket! Was good for us!” Jose Mourinho after Tim Sherwood played Walker on the wing against Chelsea last season. Pochettino likes inverted wingers and attacking full-backs, from what I've seen of him. I'd expect Lamela to play on the right and Walker to retain his natural role, though the three behind the striker are fairly interchangeable and switch frequently.
Good points Spurm/Roo/PNP Ideally, new signings are required, because I felt a bit sick seeing the same **** start against West Ham that finished last season. Something is very wrong IMO when your goalkeeper is by far your best player
Cheers Bristol, but I'm not that bothered about new signings, to be honest. I think that our pre-season preparation has been **** and I'll wait until I've seen our current players get a decent run out under Pochettino before I view them too harshly. We've got so many of our squad out of contention and lacking match fitness that I can scarcely believe it. Hopefully a lot of them will get a game in the Europa and get some kind of result, too.
This was the first time that I can remember not following Spurs during pre season. Bar the Shalke game, I have no idea what any of our results were. From what I hear Holtby had a good pre season, but it doesn't really matter if it can't be translated into premiership performances. I just get really frustrated watching spurs, which is nothing new, but the lack of creativity really winds me up.
"Is the uefa on tv? Can't find it" The WHL leg is allegedly on ITV4. Somebody on JA has listed the overseas channels (if you get them) that are allegedly showing the away leg. I will do a copy/paste to here ...
I'd be quite happy to see holtby go. He's had plenty of chances and in spite of some promising showings in the europa league he has flattered to deceive. He's got the engine, but not the guile. If he can take Paulinho with him then i for one would be happy to remember him as a spurs cult hero.
Possible TV viewings of the Europa game on thursday (courtesy of the tribe on JA) : Canada - beIN Sports CONNECT Cyprus - Cytavision Sports 1 United States - beIN SPORTS CONNECT Good luck if they are shown and your TV packages include any of the above channels.
Why do you so actively want to get rid of these players? Who are you imagining might come in his place? As I pointed out on the squad thread, we have a first-team squad with 25 over-21s, and that includes the likes of Mason and Assou-Ekotto, so we don't urgently need to get rid of any of these players. And while the squad lacks balance, it doesn't seem to me that Holtby (or, for that matter, Paulinho) are the problem - we have too many holding midfield players and lack a passer/deep-lying playmaker (whether Scheiderlin could be that player is another question)
Although I don't share your dissatisfaction with Paulinho, I do agree that he's the one we should be potentially looking to free some funds up from. As has been mentioned countless times, we've got so many players who all play in just 2 or 3 positions. Paulinho is the one I can't work out. I'm happy to ignore the fact that he's barely had a break in 2 years and we've not seen the best of him, but I can't work out what type of player we'd get from him, even on his best day. Sadly, as things stand, I think the £20 mill we might get for him is a better deal than keeping him. We wouldn't have to find too much more on top of that to secure a pretty good striker, such as Bony. Holtby is a strange one. He's never lived up to the heights we thought he would (so far), but I am a massive fan of him. He clearly loves Spurs, he's always smiling and never moans. That's gotta be good for team morale. - and it's not like he cost us much, so it's hardly worth selling him. Dembele is the other one (who I know Dembele divides opinion and some would like to see him sold), but it's clear to see what he offers us (on a good day). He's strong, has quick feet, rarely gives the ball away and is a pretty good all round midfielder. I reckon we'd soon regret letting him go. anyway, I'll stop there. This isn't the transfer thread.
