Poor team selection, poor performance and a pretty boring game, but the result's not too bad. Would've liked to have gone there with a big advantage, but at least we're ahead and didn't concede. Away goals only count after extra-time, though. Need to put in a far better display in the next couple of games. Lennon needs to start against Leicester.
Had we won that 3-0 then I'd say that we have a good chance of winning the cup but 1-0 on a penalty doesn't inspire me to say so. Still it's only half time and they have to come at us but please Poch, leave Adebayor at home, he's a big streak of piddle.
Hard work made of that one, and the tie is not done and dusted. They will have to play more attacking at home I guess.
The atmosphere will be electric at Bramall Lane, but if we get through the initial onslaught, I think there will be more openings for us in the away leg.
Black armbands from Spurs as a show of solidarity to Nacer Chadli, who's father died a couple of days ago I think. Thats the first time in a few weeks I've truly questioned Pochettino's selections etc. Ade was clearly not working and we needed width to pull Sheffield United apart and make space for Eriksen and Kane (and Davies needed help, although his situation did improve in the second half), yet we didn't see the two natural wingers on the pitch that would achieve it. I don't think we'll see Ade in a Spurs shirt again now unless out of sheer necessity. That shows how hard it can be for us when Eriksen and Kane both have off days and nobody else really steps up. Townsend looked a bright threat at times and took the pen well enough but others didn't show enough. Plus the defence overworked it at times and it almost cost us, as well as a few dodgy moments from them. Dier generally impressed me though. Fair play to Sheffield United too who made a good game of it tonight. In a way having the tie still reasonably open might be good for us, because they will have a real go at Bramall Lane and that might let us pick them off as long as our defence and defensive midfielders don't mess around like they did today. I'd rather have put the tie to bed though for sure.
I hope so but let's be honest, we are not playing well are we? We are making hard work of nearly all our matches and we have a hard one next called Leicester and I fear very much of the same.
Better second half, I think what it showed what we'd spent the last few days preparing for when Sheffield United started to sit back more and hit long balls over the top and we took near total control. Ref had a shocker but that's nothing new. Given some of the reds we've conceded this season I don't understand how that penalty wasn't a red too. Clearly intentional and clearly a goal scoring opportunity. I suppose we should just be grateful to get the penalty at all these days Think we should be resting Eriksen, Kane and Vertonghen(if possible) for the game this weekend as it's still up for grabs and as it stands this is our best chance of getting to Wembley.
Absolutely steaming after that. Truly shocking performance. Vorm holding onto the ball wasting time at home to a league 1 team. That team will get rolled over next week.
72, after a long illness. Something to do with his lungs, IIRC. Depends on your definition of early, I guess.
If we get to Wembley it's Chelsea or Liverpool and where is the improvement we need going to come from?
He looks far more comfortable at centre-half, doesn't he? Still had a few moments and hasn't really been tested, though. I'd bench them all and pick a side with better balance. I think Leicester will rest players, too.
He's an old dad then. I thought he must have been 50ish. Believe me that was just like a League One game tonight. Teams cancel each other out; they are very conservative, rarely breaking their formation. Pace is the one thing that can change the game. Sheff Utd will have to attack at Bramall Lane because they trail in the tie. If Spurs push quick players forward on to the shoulders of the last defenders should ensure the game is stretched a bit and players like Eriksen can get time and space.
I was just thinking of the players that don't need to be playing so many matches in a short space of time before the Europa League starts up again. Players like Townsend, Mason, Walker and Davies have all had time out of the team, whereas Kane, Eriksen and Vertonghen have been playing regularly all season. I guess we could drop some players too but I'm not too fussed whether we do or not. I doubt Leicester will be resting players, there's no real need to, they played 46 league games last season and they have a week either side of their match against us.
Dier was just about the only bright spot. Mind you, only at WHL could we be given offside when 2 yards onside (Kane, 2nd half) and a commentator say it was close!!!!
Nacer's 25, so his dad would've been 47. I'd expect them play in a very similar style at their place and try to nick something in the second half, then hope we fall apart.
