Good of Vertonghen to speak up, I guess, but if the win against Asteras wasn't the dodgiest win in the history of sports, I don't know what was. I do see a positive in this. It was apparent that the pressing 4-2-3-1, while potentially effective against stronger teams/away, was a recipe for dropping points against teams that sit back. So we've changed to something else, which is good, and has seemed to help. On the other hand, it looks like Pochettino himself hasn't quite figured out what that "something else" is, and the players, naturally, are showing inadequate organization and even commitment. All problems got magnified 10x in the sideshow of an early round Europa away game against a minor league club on a bad pitch. Progress, to me, would be for that something else to look like a reasonable and coherent plan this week, and for it to include some width, a quick buildup and a reasonable effort at team defending. That and a win, even by one goal, would be a good step forward.
More home grown than for years. It might be the case that Poch has recognised the need for commitment as being the over riding lack with this Spurs team.
Kane was always going to start today. Public pressure would dictate that even if there wasn't a strong case already on form alone. My concern with that team is the lack of strength and backbone in DM and MF in general. Against Stoke, even a non-Pulis Stoke will never be a cultured affair.......
In general I like Pochettino's starting lineups. They seem reasonable. As far as this one goes, Townsend and Kane deserve their starts. I can see putting both our biggest defenders in, though I would have gone with Dier and Kaboul. I would have started Lamela instead of Eriksen, who's been looking lightweight. Both he and Capoue need to be effective today, I think, to continue to justify their places in the team.
Not feeling positive about today...any physical pressure sees us fold or panic...cant see stoke not exploiting this weakness. Glad vertongen and ade are not starting...neither deserve to be in the team based on their attitude imo
Adebayor being dropped to the bench gives me hope that Poch is learning his best side...and that Adebayor is not in it. After his complete lack of leadership on Thursday, I can understand why we aren't playing Verts for this one. On the other hand, both Kaboul and Fazio have been very hit and miss so far, so we need Capoue and Mason to do a much better job of protecting the back four than they did against Villa and Newcastle.
This team sheet is asking for trouble. the reasons for dropping Adebayor to the bench are clear., but why have both soldado and Adebaoyor on the bench. One should be dropped altogether leaving space on the bench for another player option. Today's first 11 looks weak, up against a physical Stock side.
How come crouch and wilson p aint playing for them...wax kind of looking forward to seeing them back at the lane
Like the parting of the Red Sea - no CM to cover and a defence like Swiss Cheese.... hardly unexpected....
I'd question whether their striker was interfering with play by blocking Lloris' view of the ball, but that's really bad defending. Crap set-piece at the other end, too.
How many times have we picked the same defenders in a league game this season, let alone in consecutive games?
