I thought you were commenting on what actually transpired this afternoon...... In that case, I agree that we need to have players that can maintain the intensity for 90+ minutes - and we have yet to see whether any of them can consistently produce that level of performance. As others have said, hopefully the level today will set the standard and the players will stand up to be counted game after game. We'll see about that I guess....
Fortunate?? it was a really strong team move and a clever finish as far as I could see. He should be blaming his keeper if anything for not having pushed it further wide. The 2nd goal was just a class goal from the minute Kane robbed the ball back.
"In that case, I agree that we need to have players that can maintain the intensity for 90+ minutes" In MF, the starting XI + subs must collectively be able to do that. The charge levelled at Pochettino last season was his Soton teams used to blow up around the 75 min mark with his style of play. The last 15 mins of a game is still a long way to go.
I wouldn't mind seeing him in a white shirt - ust as long as it's the white shirt of any of the following: Bolton, Fulham, Factitious, Valencia, Stuttgart, OM, Besiktas, Hajduk Split, Red Bull Salzburg, FC Copenhagen, Rosenborg or Corinthians...
Jagielka following in his managers footsteps and ramping up the 'whinge' levels.... "They pressed us really high and there were quite a few fouls, I felt we could have had better protection from the referee, and that allowed them to keep coming at us. Oh, boo-feck'in-hoo!!
Spurs graft for 90 minutes for hard earned win. 39% possession, 5 bookings and 15 fouls. What surprise will Pochettino pull v Chelsea in midweek? Style or substance? Spurs have never been so Jekyll and Hyde.
I only got to watch the first half, which was probably the best half of football we've played all year. Kane, Eriksen and Lennon were outstanding, and Bentaleb did a lot to help our defenders. The announcer as well as Tobes thought Eriksen scuffed his goal. While I don't actually know, I've seen enough of Eriksen to guess he did exactly what he was trying to do. It was certainly the perfect shot, since three defenders were racing across to block it. They would have blocked most shots, but the one Eriksen took wrong-footed them perfectly and ended up in the side netting. On the other hand, Howard could and maybe should have done better on Soldado's goal. But if anyone was due a little luck... I give him credit for some things, including flexibility. It continues to be true that we're successful insofar as he varies his system. It would be worse if he refused to vary his system, but better if he realized his system didn't suit our players to begin with. Look at what we have: a good group of scorers and creators, a wide selection of deeper lying players, and defenders who are shaky overall: only two would start for a good team, and of those two, one is injured and the other is too slow to be ideal of a high press. A 4-4-2 or any system that isn't intent on pressing forward at all costs is necessary to keep our defenders from being exposed, and gives our talented players the space they need. But Pochettino's emphasis on fitness, the drills he runs, which seem to have resulted in us passing fluidly, what seems to be a consistent emphasis on attacking quickly, mostly good selections and subs all look like good things. Our problems have been at home against teams who are in theory weaker. We've played well against the top group of teams bar Liverpool. If we can start playing a 4-4-2 and get the ball wide against the teams that sit back, we should do much better.
A good all round performance. Bit backs to the wall at the end but plenty of character and fight (haven't said that for a while). Some good individual performances. I was impressed with Lennon - as always chased back well but also looked dangerous on the few occasions he was in possession going forward and laid the ball of well for the second goal. If we are going to play a counter attacking style of football or one that relies on pace when winning the ball back high up the pitch I wouldn't mind seeing Townsend and Lennon on the flanks.
"39% possession, 5 bookings and 15 fouls." Usually tis 60% and lose. "What surprise will Pochettino pull v Chelsea in midweek?" Will not matter given Jose will also be doing his homework too.
Judging by today, and various games when he's been out, Bentaleb was carrying Capoue at the start of the season - and I wouldn't be surprised if Poch noticed this too, judging by how Stambouli is starting to nudge ahead of him in the pecking order too.
Just back from a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon at the Lane. I am always quick to criticise the current regime, so it is only right I should be quick to appreciate a damn good all round performance, which is what today was. That was good stuff and great to see the defence actually defend for a change and so pleased for Soldado. A genuine 100% commitment from a fast improving Harry Kane made him a worthy man of the match. Good stuff all round today. Very pleased.
I hope this is a turning point for Soldado and will go on to put a hat trick past the Chelsea keeper,leaving Jose to eat his programme,with a bit of Salsa,of course......!
Man that was knackering, I feel like I ran a marathon watching that match. Worth it though great result, great performance and great atmosphere. All of the above can still be improved but I'm not going to pick holes everything was there for us today. Everton played like we did under AVB, lots of slow play and not enough risk taking. We picked our moments to press well, I think Distin and Besic will have nightmares with Tottenham players coming out of nowhere to charge them down. I said before the game that the line up was like the 09-10 side with a right footed creative player coming in off the left, essentially a centre back at right back and 2 up top. It wasn't quite the same style in reality as whilst Chiriches combined well with Lennon down the right, most of our tempo came through the middle with the energy of Bentaleb and Mason, whilst Kane put in the same level of work further forward. I think that's got to be the way for us to play at home, at least, the smaller pitch means that we could play with our foot on the gas and not be blowing after 20 minutes. I know it wasn't all 100 miles an hour but it wasn't far off, we just have to make a bit better use of the number of times we nicked the ball off them and secure the result before we tire at the end. Everyone was great today, I didn't agree with either of the subs Pochettino made by choice but both Lamela and Paulinho slotted in well and worked hard with the rest of the team. Paulinho is worth a mention because he's actually starting to look like he fits into the team, much fitter than before and 100 times more eager for the ball. Still only a glimmer of hope but he might make it with us yet. Kane was unplayable today, best player on the pitch and must've racked up a lot of miles he seemed to be everywhere whenever Everton had the ball in their own half. Both sides should have had penalties, with the handball being the more crucial but whilst it was lucky that we got away with it, it would've been total injustice if we'd got anything less than all 3 points today. Brilliant strike from Mirallas but apart from Coleman's chance they created nothing. COYS
I hope so too, he is a genuine guy who will always put in a real shift. He is an intelligent player who deserves a turn of fortune.
And I was there. The place erupted, the guy is loved by the faithfull despite his problems. Wonderful moment it was. I was also there for Schalke preseason. I am his lucky charm.
Agree with that. Kane is getting better and better. Wasn't sure about his quality before, but today was a bulldozing Centre forward performance
Just a word of praise for Ben Davies, who I thought was excellent today. A run of games has hopefully made the difference. Good to have a decent LB for the first time in 3 years.
