Maybe, but Cork has generally filled in well. I think Shaw and Boruc are far more important though. Schneiderlin's form lately has been quite poor too, he doesn't look match fit.
Cork good again today. Jos Hooiveld....hang your head in shame, absolutely useless today and at fault for all 3 goals.
I think the most clear illustration is the difference the Lovren/Fonte partnership made. Vic has been a big miss, but the drop off in quality at centre-back has been drastic. Rickie worries me at the moment, not just because he is lacking in form but because he just doesn't look fit. He looks like he's aged 5 years in about 9 months.
He was useless but that's letting everyone else off the hook. Lallana was the only beacon of light in a whole lot of darkness today. Two points from our last six games. Is anyone else in the league doing worse than us at the moment?
We are finding our level now. We have some good players to come back into the team. However, if we want to push for the top 6, gazza,jos,and fox have no place in our squad. Lallana and chambers were great today but dare I say it, rickie is starting to reach his expiration date. Jay should play more central too. Doom over. On to the next one..
Well, didn't expect anything from the game after seeing Hooiveld, Fox and Gazza on the teamsheet. Tottenham had it too easy, they just showed up and we gave them presents. After all, it is the time of giving. I really can't blame these player for being ****e, they just are and it was always clear our lack of squad depth will severly hamper our ambitions. But I can blame the manager. Fonte was ready, if he's ready for the bench, he's ready to play. Shaw was fit by his own admission. MP decided to gamble, and he lost. Spurs were there for the taking.
The problem today was the fact that Hooiveld, fox and Gazzaniga are not really good enough, we can carry one of them with a decent defence but when you have them as a trio it just becomes a bit comical. Im also a bit concerned about Lambert, he scored but was very poor apart from that. Any way im not too worried not exactly our XI today. Think we should actually give Ramirez a chance, normally against the idea but he looked alright and i think we need to drop Lambert for a game. Try Rodriguez up top or Osvaldo (or is he out?) Makes Cardiff a big game
There's a difference between being match fit and able to play some part. I also thnk it was right for Shaw to not be involved, last thing we need is more people getting ill. Our squad is light as it is.
We still have the second best defensive record in the Prem, only 18 goals conceded. But most have those have come since we lost Boruc, Fonte, and Wanyama. Trying to be positive here, as I always do, Artur can't be far away, and Fonte must surely start against Cardiff. Even if he isn't fit, there must be a better option available than Hooiveld?
It's not really about finding our level. We have two levels, really; when the core is fit, we're genuinely a very good team. When parts of the core are not fit -- in particular, the defense and the central mids -- we're very, very bad.
Exactly this. We basically didn't rotate the team at all for the first seven or eight matches, and while the results were good, that effort is catching up on us now. We need to rotate more so we have one poor player in all games rather than none in a few games, and then three in the next few. I hate to say it but that's not rocket science and it was very naive of Pochettino and the staff to assume (wrongly) that our players are superhuman.
True, we are a very good team when at full strength. Our lack of depth is costing us at the moment. We will pick up a win soon, we will still finish between 9-12 IMO.
Fuuuuck sake. Just got in and seen the score and team. Not surprised we shipped 3, even to a side who have been struggling to score with Gazza, Hooiveld and Fox playing. Really disappointed. Our squad depth is so weak. Yes we've had A LOT of injuries, but if we have any ambition of even getting into the top 8 (which we clearly do) we need reinforcements. Can't believe we've played Fox and Hooiveld together again, I really hope that is out of necessity and not choice. They are about as effective defensively as a chocolate fire guard. Whats that 2 points from the last 18 available?
Unlucky, Saints fans. You've had a hard run of games which is clearly taking it's toll on your squad and you came up against a Spurs side who seem to be recovering from damaged confidence. A well rested Adebayor who had a decent runout against West Ham in a pairing with Soldado that's never been tried and it seemed to work pretty well. One or two in during the January window, plus a less draining run of fixtures and I think your form will pick up again. You've clearly got some very good players and a manager who knows how to organise and motivate, so it's looking good for you in the long run. Biggest problem? Teams like Chelsea poaching the likes of Shaw, I think. Hard to avoid that sort of thing.
We'll I hope Santa brings us a new CB and LB. I also hope that someone has Hooiveld and Fox on their own Christmas lists. Utter liabilities.
