*** OMT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs Fiorentina 2nd leg ***

[braineclipse]

I agree to an extent but the luck has to run someones way during a run with tight ties, why shouldn't it be us? You beat Fiorentina and its 16 left with three ties left till the final.

Sometimes it does... I don't understand why you would think otherwise.

 

[milo]

I agree to a certain extent Milo, but for me this will be remembered as yet another game where individual mistakes will have cost us. I can accept us not being clinical if we then have the mentality to close a game out when we get a goal. Unfortunately we don't. Same last season when individual mistakes cost us so many points. We have been better this season but clearly not eradicated the problem.This for me is where Poch has to focus.

I think that is tiredness kicking in and maybe a little bit of the players having Sunday's game in the back of their minds

 

[braineclipse]

Brain, I don't agree we were the better side, the scoreline confirms that as Fiorentina and through and we are out. We made several errors that were punished whereas I thought today especially Fiorentina were very solid and picked us off easily on the counter.

Yeah, I completely disagree that the scoreline always indicates who the better team was. That's a discussion for a different day and a different thread though.

 

[Libero]

Maybe our players arrogance has come from the fact that our best performer, Kane, has started both games on the bench. Is our first 11 better than Fiorentina?? I don't know, how do you? they never played each other, The EPL is better than Seria A, we could say that with a bit of confidence.

You have answered your own question. Our first 11 or mix of players have been just off 3rd place for 3 months in our league which is infinitely stronger than Serie A. Fiorentina are 4th/5th in a league that is way below that now of this country, Germany or Spain. Over the course of a season they would not be in the top 6 here yet it is highly probable over a season we would be in the top 3/4 there.

 

[DubaiSpur]

He wasn't dropped. His Dad died and he was given compassionate leave to go back to Belgium. I am guessing that it is just taking him a little while to find his rhythm again.

I know about his personal tragedy, but he's played since then, looked reasonably good and still has been mainly left on the bench. I don't think he's lost his rhythm too much, and I'd like to see him firmly back in the side soon.

 

[Nigeyman]

really really gutted about being out of el...

from next week we only have the league.

This tournament has been such a papercut for us over the years that I was desperate for us to win the damn thing.....oh well....I am sure some may question poch and his team selection but how can you legislate for that Soldado miss/poo pass in the first half....unbelievable really....just felt we would not score after that.

Only caught the first half as on callout at work and only just got back in.....as I say really gutted. We could not make it count after dominating both 1st halfs in both legs.....onwards and upwards but not feeling hopeful for sunday.

 

[DubaiSpur]

I agree but the CL place for the winner is a massive step in the right direction, it's more important now than the domestic cups

True, but it's still too long and too weighted in favour of the CL dropouts.

 

[Libero]

Sometimes it does... I don't understand why you would think otherwise.

I'm talking about the fact that any team that wins it has to get lucky. That shouldn't be a reason to think that we can or can't win something. I meant more that why shouldn't it be us that gets luck to run with us all through a tournament and win it which obviously rarely happens.

 

[mudshark]

One thing about Pochettino's system is that it exposes technically average players and, in spite of our supposed strength-in-depth, we still have too many of those in the squad IMO. It's no coincidence we've conceded more goals than any other side in the top 10. I'll stick my neck out not particularly far here and say Chelsea's winner on Sunday will come from yet another unforced error by one of ours gifting them the opportunity.

 

[nayenezgani]

 

[Joesh]

You have answered your own question. Our first 11 or mix of players have been just off 3rd place for 3 months in our league which is infinitely stronger than Serie A. Fiorentina are 4th/5th in a league that is way below that now of this country, Germany or Spain. Over the course of a season they would not be in the top 6 here yet it is highly probable over a season we would be in the top 3/4 there.

This is a cup competition though, how many times have we seen upsets in the FA Cup in particular. I don't see us as a top European team as we have not proved it other than the ridiculous top rich clubs table, 2 trophies in 20 years, can we really dismiss Fiorentina. We should be one, we could be if only but reality is as others have said we can't compete for the EL, there are too many teams better than us and I completely agree with this now.

 

[yiddo37]

True, but it's still too long and too weighted in favour of the CL dropouts.

My biggest hatred of this competition is this ridiculous idea, out should mean out! Agree it's too long too, won't happen but just bring back 2 legged games from the off NO GROUPS!

 

[Joesh]

True, but it's still too long and too weighted in favour of the CL dropouts.

I agree now, it is clearly not in our interests to get past the group stages. Use that to blood youngsters.

 

[yiddo37]

This is a cup competition though, how many times have we seen upsets in the FA Cup in particular. I don't see us as a top European team as we have not proved it other than the ridiculous top rich clubs table, 2 trophies in 20 years, can we really dismiss Fiorentina. We should be one, we could be if only but reality is as others have said we can't compete for the EL, there are too many teams better than us and I completely agree with this now.

I agree. The fact we have failed to get past the 1/4 Final stages again suggests maybe that our league (or us in particular) are not as good as we think we are.

 

[Joesh]

I agree. The fact we have failed to get past the 1/4 Final stages again suggests maybe that our league (or us in particular) are not as good as we think we are.

The one thing that has gone against us is fixtures, I think we were playing chelsea in the league before with a similiar ridiculous time frame after a EL game. Maybe its simply imcompatible with the Premier League especially with a average squad.

 

[Libero]

This is a cup competition though, how many times have we seen upsets in the FA Cup in particular. I don't see us as a top European team as we have not proved it other than the ridiculous top rich clubs table, 2 trophies in 20 years, can we really dismiss Fiorentina. We should be one, we could be if only but reality is as others have said we can't compete for the EL, there are too many teams better than us and I completely agree with this now.

I agree with what you are saying, I dont see us as a top European side at all but then neither are Fiorentina, I guess that's what makes it more frustrating.

 

[shaney]

Just finished watching it now as got home late. Sigh...........a limp but very predictable exit. Very disappointing. We just look like a team of strangers out there. Soldado should hang his head in shame. So many things wrong about tonight, I cant even be bothered.

 

[Cochise]

Fine margins tonight. One thing though was how well Fiorentina packed their penalty box when we tried to play through. We (impressively) still found holes but there was no real way through.

I do agree with the questions re: our league. It's quite feasible that Everton will be the only English team left in Europe in a couple of weeks time. Is there a reason, or is it just coincidence? Is the way our league plays football not compatible with the way European teams do?

 

[milo]

I know about his personal tragedy, but he's played since then, looked reasonably good and still has been mainly left on the bench. I don't think he's lost his rhythm too much, and I'd like to see him firmly back in the side soon.

He hasn't played 90 minutes since he has come back and the two legs against Fiorentina have been his only starts

 

[Joesh]

I agree with what you are saying, I dont see us as a top European side at all but then neither are Fiorentina, I guess that's what makes it more frustrating.

Fiorentina aren't proven either agreed, but the fact is we left guys on the bench that we would'nt if this was a CL match regardless of the Cup final. Fans know this, players know this and immediately this transfers to the performance. That was my big fear before and with the added fact of players that have lesser quality that have come in meant that we gambled with this game and we lost.