I thought that Davies did pretty well today and he looks quite good generally, considering his age. He doesn't contribute enough going forward, which is a bit weird, as his reputation was as an attacking fullback at Swansea. Perhaps a run in the side will settle him down a bit, but Rose looks far more of a threat down the flank. Neither get much in the way of cover or support, though.
I think we saw the difference today. If we did miss an additional threat going forwards - which I am not convinced - then whenever Davies did get forward, then he always managed to get back in position. He gave a way a couple of dangerous freekicks however, with impetuous challenges and I think in both instances there was cover that could have closed off the attack anyway. Davies is the safer of the two options for me and I certainly would expect more from Rose who has been around the First Team for 5 years. He should be much closer to the finished article by now.
I read a good (fan written) article on the LB situation and Verts the other day, that basically said Rose is perhaps the better individual player, but that Davies makes Vertonghen and the team play better - as Verts can concentrate on his game at CB rather than worrying about where his fullback is and covering the position - and therefore there is a strong case for Davies being in the team. He is only 22 lets not forget. He'll never have Rose's pace but he's got time to develop his attacking instincts. It is as much about timing the runs as it is the pace you make them at after all. The last couple of games have been encouraging because we've seen more of the promised Poch pressing game being effective, and some quicker and more threatening buildup. Dier is looking strong at DM, Alli is looking astonishingly good for a 19 year old of his experience, and Son is providing more of a goal threat which we've been lacking. Hopefully Eriksen coming back in as well will stop us arsing around in the final 3rd so much. The issues now for me are: 1. Kane needs to get going again (which I'm sure he will soon) 2. Lamela - I'm still far from convinced that he should be starting (Son-Eriksen-Chadli is surely the one?) 3. Where, if indeed at all, do we fit Bentaleb and Mason into the team when they're back? 4. Who do we drop for Eriksen now, because Alli looks a class act 5. Rose vs. Davies at LB - clearly the Welshman right now but once Rose gets back to match fitness (he was looking well off the pace on Thursday) it'll be a tough call 6. Will Dembele have a significant role once he's fit - I really hope not
Talking of the defence again, they really were impressive, especially the centre backs. Alderweireld and Vertonghen were so often quickest to spot the danger and nip the ball infront of their forwards(this was helped by the press frequently rushing their passes/clearances) and once they got the ball their was very little slowing down of the play. Alderweireld and Walker made a number of good long diagonal passes, infact Alderweireld was very reminicent of Dawson when he had the ball today and Jan brought the ball forward well with Dier and the fullbacks often covering for him. I know some don't like/rate Jan and I've not been very impressed with Toby but credit where credit's due, they kept a lively forward line very quiet today. Edit: Oh and I've just seen the goal again, great work from Lamela to win the ball and get the attack started. It felt like we were back to square one with his first few performances for us this season but he had another decent game today, just needs to be more decisive in the final third.
Rose is far superior going forward, but is, and has always been a defensive disaster just waiting to happen.
I think in a formation when the wide players stay on the flanks, that could be a very strong combination - like Lennon/Corluka was on the right. Rose has the skill set to play very well as an orthodox left winger for sure - pace, good cross, willingness to track back, even an eye for a goal. If we ever played an orthodox 4-4-2 (not likely in the near future) then he'd actually be one of the strongest candidates to fill the LW position. He couldn't play the role Pochettino would want though IMO, in terms of free movement across the forward line.
The best thing we could have done for Vertonghen is get him his favorite CB partner, which is what it seems we did with Alderweireld. While I don’t think it’s as big a factor in the improved defending as Dier at DM, I think it’s helped considerably. While Lamela had a good game, and was very influential, I noticed two of his bad passes had the same pattern. He started to pass, then checked his foot after opening his body. Then he started his foot forward again without taking it back, resulting in a pass that was too weak. I think either Chadli or Lamela has to be dropped for Eriksen. I would drop Chadli, since Lamela has been playing better and working much harder. He had a hand in both of our winning goals.
Another game I really enjoyed. I mentioned in the Qarabag thread that end-to-end games and heart in mouth moments is what football is all about for me and I thought the game had exactly that yesterday, Palace hitting the post twice (one which was coupled with one of the best saves I've ever seen), we had a goal ruled out that on another day could have well been given depending on the mindset of the referee/ line-o, the football on display was enjoyable and better than anything, we won! Most of the usual suspects impressed, Dier is superman, I'm convinced of that now, where as Dele Alli is turning out to be the country's best young prospect. Defence done well again, all four worked hard and defended solidly, three Prem clean sheets in a row - what the **** is up with that? Chadli had a so and so game, made a couple of good crosses but didn't really impact the game like he can and needs to up it now with increased competition. Son is looking like he's going to be a real crowd pleaser, great work rate, silky skills and clearly knows where the goal is. Me, my cousin and my mate had a few South Korean fans kitted out with Son 7 on their backs sitting next to us, well two in front and their friend next to me to be precise, as the goal went in, my cousin felt necessary to lift and pull one of the lads in front (could've only been 17-18 I'd say) into our row and celebrate as if we'd won the World Cup, I'm not sure if the kid will remember that as a happy moment for years or be scarred for life! We all also raised their South Korean flag like mad men too, so it was a fun and memorable outing for those lads... I hope . Kane worked hard and could've had a goal, despite not finding the net yet I'm still not concerned, his performances have been fine and I have no doubt that the goals will definitely come. Hugo just reminded us all, not that we actually forgot in fairness, that he's a world class player and in my opinion without a doubt the best keeper in this league. I don't care what anyone says if they say De Gea, Hart of Courtois are better, I'd completely disagree, the man between our sticks is truly sensational and the save he made from Sako today was just something only he could do. What an incredible player, how often is it that when you go to a game, you can actually be excited to watch a goalkeeper? I don't remember ever feeling like that. MOTM for me though was... Now wait for it... Wait a little longer... Erik Lamela. Yeah just in case you misread it, I said Erik Lamela. Where the **** has this guy been for the past couple of years?! Worked his arse off, made some good passes, crossed well, beat his man a number of times and was instrumental in the goal after winning the ball on the edge of the box and laying it off to Eriksen (amazing to have him back by the way) for him to assist Son. It was by far and I mean a million miles far, his best performance in our shirt, I want to believe that this isn't a one off because if it isn't, we may just finally be seeing the Erik Lamela we all thought we'd signed finally come to life. Good to see N'Jie make his league debut too, thought he showed a few nice touches and he tracked back really well, helped Davies on two occasions by making important tackles, so that's good to see in his build up to match fitness. Could be pushing for a start in a week or so I reckon. We're hitting form and getting the results just at the right time, plus others are nearing the end of their injury lay-offs so it's a good time for Spurs, especially as we prepare to face some scummy South London bunch of mugs on Wednesday night.
Enjoyable reading, SOS. I was also very impressed with Lamela despite a few bad passes. Getting the team moving forward quickly is a crucial role. Mason had been very good at it, and now Lamela is doing it. I’m starting to feel hopeful when the other team has the ball in our end because our defense has been solid except for the occasional counter, and our counter has been very dangerous.
Lamela was average yesterday, some good things and some bad things. The reason people think Lamela has played well is because he is so bad usually that when he has a half decent game its such a massive improvement on the week before
I never knew I could understand Korean. They never lost me for a moment. Now if only I could listen to them call all the games.
As I said during the game - if Lamela had Chadli's goalscoring, or if Chadli had Lamela's workrate, we'd have a hell of a player. Which reminds me, I wonder if Seth Brundle's busy...
