Wow, I am really surprised that you have that opinion as I have always thought you were a reasonable type of guy.
Mind you may have a point and I am a fool, having spent the best part of three days traveling to and from Germany ( and spent several hundred pounds doing it) expecting to see a strong Spurs side take on one the best teams in Europe ( who are chasing a treble) how foolish of me to expect us to put out a side who would be able to not beat them maybe but to at least give them a good game.
Instead Poch ( and before going any further I have said on here that I think he is doing a great job and have no problems with what he had done) however that team was never going to be able to compete at that level, the vast majority of the fans at the game, in the bars after and on the way home were gobsmacked that he choose such a weak side and they all said on hearing the side that we would be lucky to escape a heavy defeat ( and it really could have been a lot worse in reality).
As I have said before ( in other threads) I am not one to moan about ticket prices and no one holds a gun against my head and makes me goes to these games ( so its my OWN fault when I see these things happen). Now I have someone suggesting I am a fool because I was naïve enough to believe we would have named a stronger side, as I said maybe I am and what I should do is give up my ST and buy 50 inch TV and become a armchair supporter and be satisfied with that, then when guys who do get of their arses and make the effort to actually go and support their team moan about the weak sides in major games I can call them fools.
Poor form Milo from you, poor form.
Full credit for traveling (as always - and I'm sure you didn't need that from me BTW, I meant it in positive spirit and not patronizing in any way) and having done several European trips myself (including one to FC Twente where I fully expected NOT to see a full 11) I have to say that I think there is a middle view on the matter (I also don't think Milo meant traveling fans were 'fools' BTW, I really don't, and again, given that it was a poor choice of word, I think -by your admission- his usual very smart and erudite contributions should earn him a break on this one)...
But let's break down the team selection.
Dier - carrying a knock and knackered
Alli - suspended
Rose - carrying a knock and usually rotated
Walker - usually rotated
Verts - injured
Dembele - coming off an injury - 75 mins against the Goons
Kane - needed a rest
I think we all saw those situations prior to the game. So effectively, that leaves three positions people are upset about.
Carroll
Mason
Chadli
Carroll over Bentaleb must be to do with the meritocracy/Bentaleb not doing enough for the manager. Carroll is a ball-player and someone who doesn't usually lose possession/can play quick touch football. I don't think anyone thought he would be quite so out of his depth. I didn't.
Mason - excellent when playing alongside a 'first-team-player' but as we sadly saw, not at his best when part of a tandem with Carroll. Again, few options in there right now.
Chadli - has been scoring goals and has played a role all season. I think, sadly, once again we would have to say he was not up to it against this quality.
Son was someone that many wanted to start instead of Kane (given that there was an acceptance Kane needed a rest) especially given his success against Dortmund in his Bundy days. I think he is still carrying some of that foot issue because he was too hesitant when he had the chances.
Our FBs tucked in to support CBs who were overrun by poor midfield protection.
It was a poor performance, but I think when you break it down, for some people to suggest that the manager gave up on it before KO is scandalous.
We will be better for this in the long run, trust me...this manager learns from what he sees, and it won't happen next season, in part because we will have the money to get him what he wants this summer.
COYS
