Lamela with a hat trick, Carroll with a Ricky Villa-esque goal? There's just one meme to sum this up... please log in to view this image
Could it be to do with numbers of appearances in the competition qualifying you for a winners medal?!
Caroll has impressed me the few times I've seen him this year. Very neat passing, and able to create and score goals. I've mostly been a bystander in the Carroll wars, but I can't help wondering if he doesn't deserve more minutes. I could easily see him make us regret selling him. Pairing him with Dier has looked good in practice, and is good in theory as well, since Dier has all the size and intimidation that Carroll lacks. Though I have to add Carroll has been a good tackler this year, despite his size.
Not sure why Alli came on instead of Townsend, unless Poch really is trying to send a message. Carroll looked like he had his radar a little wonky IMO but he sharpened up after his goal. Onomah was very impressive indeed for such a young man and it was good to see Bentaleb and Chadli back too. I think Wimmer looks a good purchase for what we paid as well.
4-1 FT. Did all the hard work in the first half, then coasted a bit in the second. Scoreline's probably about right, as we were much the better team, but defended set-pieces horribly. Full debut for Onomah, hat-trick for Lamela and a really good show from Carroll and N'Jie. Chadli and Bentaleb back too, so as long as Dier's knock is just that (and it seems it is), then it's a good night all round. It looked to me like we tried out a different style of play in the second half, as the possession was slower and the break wasn't always being hit. I'm not sure if that was just complacency, the comfortable scoreline or something Pochettino's been working on.
Hopefully that performance sees the club and Carroll reach an agreement on a contract that lasts beyond the end of the season. He may be vying for minutes with Alli, Bentaleb and Dembele, but he impressed in pre-season and has delivered when he;s had the opportunity this season.
Given that he's home-grown, come through our academy, is a very decent player and his his wages won't be massive then I think Carroll's Europa performances alone should get him a new contract. He's consistently a good option in Europe at the very least.
A very impressive showing from all involved. The togetherness obviously runs throughout the whole squad and not just the players getting in the side regularly. It took me back to when players like Gary O'Reilly, Gary Brooke, Tony Parks and Ally Dick played against top side in European competition and didn't let anyone down. I thought Clinton N'Jie played really well as did Tom Carroll, Josh Onoma and Eric Lamela but everyone contributed really well. Very proud of the lot of them! Pochettino must be delighted with that!
Just not enough opportunities for the kids. Transgress or slack off, and your place is under threat. So, EL done and dusted. Over to Pochettino to manage the squad over the Xmas and Jan FA Cup schedules.
You watch, even though our match was easily the tie of the night, our 'Pool-loving media will be crowing about 'Pool's ****e 0-0 draw against some non-entity side as though it marks 'Pool's certain return to European glory! It's sickening!
If we do get a mention, it'll be the Daily Mail dropping sly comments about certain of our players being off to Chelsea or United, in the Summer, even though that is clearly never going to happen so long as Levy has breath in his body.
In retrospect we should've had Wimmer on the pitch against Kvetch Brom - if he engaged Beast Mode and steamrolled McClean and company it would've put them back in their box ...although this doesn't take into account the utter bollocks Jonathan Moss made of officiating the match.
That's the way it should be! Our youngsters know that if they're good enough and they show the right attitude, they'll be given their chance. But he's also signaling that nobody can just take their place for granted. You have to earn it!
I like the way Poch has gone about his business; and I love how he's brought the youngsters on. There is so much talent throughout the entire squad! And Poch is encouraging every bit of it to shine!
