Its very early days, and even a good manager's system requires patience, but we need to attack faster. We did a little better this time (against another, weaker team that clogged the middle) by getting it wide more often, and created a few more good chances. But I think and hope Pochettino agrees there was too much aimless passing around the edge of the penalty box in both games. Get downfield fast, get a runner or three going at the goal, and try to get it to them. Then work on getting the ball back. An open, fast-moving game suits us and makes for better football.
Pochettino said this after today's game: 'You always nominate players on the bench who can have an impact and all three subs had an impact on the game.' It's refreshing to have a manager who understands the value of substitutions, he's shown in both his games now that he has an eye for when and which substitutions will pay off. At times in the last few years, certainly under Redknapp, we might as well have not had a bench to turn to, such was his reluctance to use the squad properly.
After reflecting upon the game (performance aside) ... Limassol beat Zenit, a UEFA ranking peer of Spurs, in the corresponding game. We do not know whether either fielded their strongest sides in that game, or whether Limassol did yesterday. But Zenit lost without scoring, and Spurs won playing at best 60% of the strongest side. So a decent result at the end of the day.
No full game stream. German and USA TV channels were supposed to repeat it last night, but choose to show Spanish friendlies instead. UEFA are chumps.
"In the heat too, we all know how crap british teams are with heat" With a few of the WC returnees playing, a fair amount of huffing and puffing was guaranteed. Assuming that no <standard> injuries have arisen, then bar conceding that goal, Pochettino probably got everything he wanted from that game.
It was in response to MightySpurs but I made a mistake somewhere. I want 4-0 at WHL against Limassol.
I think that we can expect those that didn't start against QPR to come into the side for this game, but it leaves us with a few questions. Dawson and Chiriches look to be on the way out, but we started our other three centre-halves in the 4-0. Soldado, Dembele, Davies, Naughton and Lennon should be in there, but I think there's a lot of spaces up for grabs. Sandro (if he's staying), Paulinho, Holtby, Kane and Townsend into three places, which leaves the two defensive spots.
Dawson to Hull is a bit interesting as their Europa qualifier is still in the balance. Even if Sandro is not fully fit, there are plenty in the squad/Academy who are available.
