*** Tottenham vs Arsenal NLD OMT ***

[Raziel]

His distance run may be decent but the relevance if it is low if he is being bypassed and just chasing
He isnt a poor player and has shown some good attacking passes
Right now with the issues we have in attack and defence conte needs to bite the bullet and play 3-5-2 with Hojberg, Sarr and Bentacur ideally and Perisic and Kulu wide, Kane and Richarlson central
That gives us options in the midfield for runners to go back and forward
Our best crossers of a ball are wide where they can do their damage and key for me is it gets son off the pitch so he can reset

So I think 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2 needs a run

I also think with Richi back, Son needs to be rotated out, maybe give him the Preston game.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

So I think 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2 needs a run

I also think with Richi back, Son needs to be rotated out, maybe give him the Preston game.

4 at the back means full backs
We don’t have a left back and a LCB who is good enough
3-5-2 could work as it stops the issues in midfield which are constant now

 

[seaside spur]

Me and my big mouth. Bollox anyway. They are much better than I gave them credit for.

Better make a will during the summer.

I did say ages ago Something different about them this season , no soft centre.
They don't concede many and they remind me of Arsenal teams of old when they had Adams, Dixon winterburn etc or the Chelsea team that had John Terry , they get bodies in the way looks like they are lucky but I think it's a little bit more than luck.
When it keeps happening it has to be more than luck.
No injuries either.
Nice fixtures , especially early doors.
There is too much going their way. The stars are aligning.
And tbh , there isn't really anyone any better this season. Possibly Utd but it might be too late.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

Being on a form run, being mostly injury free and having the odd thing go for you is absolutely luck.

You really think on City/Pool's usual form, they would be anywhere near the top?

Highly likely they will get the title this season, don't think it turns them into regular contenders, probably top 4 but nothing more.

Er, yes. They've got 47pts from 54.

 

[DeanoAustin]

I did say ages ago Something different about them this season , no soft centre.
They don't concede many and they remind me of Arsenal teams of old when they had Adams, Dixon winterburn etc or the Chelsea team that had John Terry , they get bodies in the way looks like they are lucky but I think it's a little bit more than luck.
When it keeps happening it has to be more than luck.
No injuries either.
Nice fixtures , especially early doors.
There is too much going their way. The stars are aligning.
And tbh , there isn't really anyone any better this season. Possibly Utd but it might be too late.

fudging hate saying this but some of the football first half today was breathtaking. The passing was quick, it was sharp, they knew where each other was. They were outstanding. We looked absolutely miles off it.

 

[tommysvr]

This may have been mentioned already, but what was the thinking behind his subs? We actually looked good when we came out for the second half (there's something different) until he made his first change in the 71st minute: Richarlison for Doherty. At this point, what formation are we playing? Was Kulusevski moved to RWB and Richy RW? Surely the move there was Richy for Romero, who was looking dicey on a yellow and play Sess - Lenglet - Dier - Doherty at the back with Son - Kane - Richy - Kulu in attack.

Then in the 76th minute, he brings on Perisic for Sessegnon (far too late really) and Bissouma for Sarr (Sarr and not PEH??) so presumably, we're still playing wingbacks and 2 in CM? Or is Perisic at LB?

Then he brings on Gil...but not for the Son who offered absolutely nothing all game, for our most dangerous weapon, Kulusevski. I can understand some fears about his fitness, but this was in the 88th minute! Surely he can manage to see out another 5-10 minutes! And what is Gil going to do in that time anyway?

Then his customary L/R CB change with Davies on for Lenglet...nothing sub.

Having started the game with exactly the same formation and setup that has failed us in just about every single first half of the season, putting 2 v 3 to be murdered in midfield, I then don't see the resemblance of a plan to change it in the second half. In fact, the changes made us worse.

He sure does seem tactically out of his depth for 'one of the best managers in the world.'

 

[thfcsteff]

So I think 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2 needs a run

I also think with Richi back, Son needs to be rotated out, maybe give him the Preston game.

You won’t see 4-2-3-1 with Conte. Ever. So put yourself out of that misery. I felt today was screaming for 3-5-2, but Deccy’s fitness posed Conte a problem. Personally, when I saw Sess chosen to start, whilst it made sense for youth/legs, I knew we were in trouble. he is not good enough. I think we have to face the facts. We have adopted a ‘win fast’ approach for the last four years, not thrown ‘win fast’ money at either of those managers, and it is time to accept that we are currently investing as a project club so should get a project manager/everyone on the same page. I would rather several years of top 6 bobbing but a club unified and spirited than this. Maybe now it is clear why some loved Poch so much regardless of trophies; it’s because he had us all moving in the same direction happily. FWIW I don’t think it could work with him twice.

 

[DeanoAustin]

You won’t see 4-2-3-1 with Conte. Ever. So put yourself out of that misery. I felt today was screaming for 3-5-2, but Deccy’s fitness posed Conte a problem. Personally, when I saw Sess chosen to start, whilst it made sense for youth/legs, I knew we were in trouble. he is not good enough. I think we have to face the facts. We have adopted a ‘win fast’ approach for the last four years, not thrown ‘win fast’ money at either of those managers, and it is time to accept that we are currently investing as a project club so should get a project manager/everyone on the same page. I would rather several years of top 6 bobbing but a club unified and spirited than this. Maybe now it is clear why some loved Poch so much regardless of trophies; it’s because he had us all moving in the same direction happily. FWIW I don’t think it could work with him twice.

Why not Steff? Not saying you're wrong, just curious on your thinking.

 

[thfcsteff]

Answering your question above, which was trapped in the quote ;-)

Deano’s question was why I feel it wouldn’t work with Poch again…

First off, for the record, I’d love to see it, if only because I want the joy of that connection again.
But practically? I think there are a few too many of the same people in the boardroom who perhaps weren’t -shall we say, supportive?- back when he needed some support in 2019/20 season, plus not sure he and Paratici are on the same page. IF they were both on the same page in terms of player, then it could possibly work so long as the board are kept at arms length. But I just don’t the current board do that. I am notn referring especially to Levy here BTW…

 

[Grays_1890]

You won’t see 4-2-3-1 with Conte. Ever. So put yourself out of that misery. I felt today was screaming for 3-5-2, but Deccy’s fitness posed Conte a problem. Personally, when I saw Sess chosen to start, whilst it made sense for youth/legs, I knew we were in trouble. he is not good enough. I think we have to face the facts. We have adopted a ‘win fast’ approach for the last four years, not thrown ‘win fast’ money at either of those managers, and it is time to accept that we are currently investing as a project club so should get a project manager/everyone on the same page. I would rather several years of top 6 bobbing but a club unified and spirited than this. Maybe now it is clear why some loved Poch so much regardless of trophies; it’s because he had us all moving in the same direction happily. FWIW I don’t think it could work with him twice.

Good post

Its about the stars aligning for me, on both sides, Conte and Spurs....For me I am not against Conte as a rule but its a relationship that I see doomed to fail. And its not that I back the board its just as a realist the board are not going soon, so its about being realistic about the blend and for me this is not working or likely to. We need a manager who will grow with the club as we continue to grow IMHO unless we get that sugar daddy owner and then a Jose and Conte works...but for me we are almost wasting each others time

 

[DeanoAustin]

Answering your question above, which was trapped in the quote ;-)

Deano’s question was why I feel it wouldn’t work with Poch again…

First off, for the record, I’d love to see it, if only because I want the joy of that connection again.
But practically? I think there are a few too many of the same people in the boardroom who perhaps weren’t -shall we say, supportive?- back when he needed some support in 2019/20 season, plus not sure he and Paratici are on the same page. IF they were both on the same page in terms of player, then it could possibly work so long as the board are kept at arms length. But I just don’t the current board do that. I am notn referring especially to Levy here BTW…

I have my doubts it could work too. His time here just seemed to have all the stars (almost) align perfectly. Not sure if that can happen again.

Reckon he’d have to give some of the lads that were stalwarts under him the heave ho too. Davies, Dier, Hugo and maybe Sonny and or Kane.

But, fudge me, I’d love to walk into that ground to a chorus of “he’s magic you know…” and dream a little bit.

 

[Grays_1890]

I have my doubts it could work too. His time here just seemed to have all the stars (almost) align perfectly. Not sure if that can happen again.

Reckon he’d have to give some of the lads that were stalwarts under him the heave ho too. Davies, Dier, Hugo and maybe Sonny and or Kane.

But, fudge me, I’d love to walk into that ground to a chorus of “he’s magic you know…” and dream a little bit.

But TBF they probably need moving on to a man bar 1-2

What anyone believes or don't, Poch knew this club in and out and said what would happen in that interview with Jug ears....and he was proved right

 

[braineclipse]

Up against the best teams we have to be able to sustain some pressure. We keep conceding soft goals and our World Cup winning captain is repeatedly at fault.

He wasn't "at fault" for the second, but I think two years ago he saves that one most of the time.

They were really good in that first half, particularly after taking the lead. They caused us a lot of problems, particularly down our left. But it's not like they kept opening us up. We even had some good breaks.

Particularly the opening 20 of the second half we were good. The xG ended up being fairly similar, as did shot stats. Main difference was goalkeeping.

We were outplayed in that first half. No doubt. After giving away a goal, up against a very good in form team.

 

[paxtonwolf]

I see the clown at the final whistle is making all the headlines. Taking the heat off the Everton fans who I see surrounded 21-year old Anthony Gordon in his car after the game, blocked him in and verbally abused him. Classy.
I think a few tried it to Mina also, but he got out and gave it back from what I hear

We all get frustrated, but what is going on these days?

 

[DeanoAustin]

I see the clown at the final whistle is making all the headlines. Taking the heat off the Everton fans who I see surrounded 21-year old Anthony Gordon in his car after the game, blocked him in and verbally abused him. Classy.
I think a few tried it to Mina also, but he got out and gave it back from what I hear

We all get frustrated, but what is going on these days?

I honestly think the internet/social media are to blame. In the past, if you had stupid opinions, they got very little air time. Now, no matter how out there your opinion is, you can find thousands more thinking the same at the click of a button. That then validates what you think in your head and people become more entrenched/polarised.

Assuming that clown will never see the inside of our stadium again.

 

[braineclipse]

You won’t see 4-2-3-1 with Conte. Ever. So put yourself out of that misery. I felt today was screaming for 3-5-2, but Deccy’s fitness posed Conte a problem. Personally, when I saw Sess chosen to start, whilst it made sense for youth/legs, I knew we were in trouble. he is not good enough. I think we have to face the facts. We have adopted a ‘win fast’ approach for the last four years, not thrown ‘win fast’ money at either of those managers, and it is time to accept that we are currently investing as a project club so should get a project manager/everyone on the same page. I would rather several years of top 6 bobbing but a club unified and spirited than this. Maybe now it is clear why some loved Poch so much regardless of trophies; it’s because he had us all moving in the same direction happily. FWIW I don’t think it could work with him twice.

I don't think bobbing around top 6 for a couple of years will be seen as acceptable by many in our fan base. We had a different starting point last time with Pochettino and he delivered fairly quickly on top 4. Two years of bobbing will see massive dissatisfaction imo.

I think our mixed strategy is fine. We're starting to see results from some of the more project like signings already in Gil and Sarr. Kulusevski and Bentancur shows that fairly young players with a "project future" can also do a great job fairly quickly as long as we get those signings right.

Sprinkle in some "here and now" signings and that can be a good mix. It doesn't have to be strictly one or the other.

But we probably need to get 2-3 more good here and now hits for the short term for this strategy to work with Conte.

If it doesn't work with Conte I think it's a fine strategy for the future. I don't think we have to go all long term project approach.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Up against the best teams we have to be able to sustain some pressure. We keep conceding soft goals and our World Cup winning captain is repeatedly at fault.

He wasn't "at fault" for the second, but I think two years ago he saves that one most of the time.

They were really good in that first half, particularly after taking the lead. They caused us a lot of problems, particularly down our left. But it's not like they kept opening us up. We even had some good breaks.

Particularly the opening 20 of the second half we were good. The xG ended up being fairly similar, as did shot stats. Main difference was goalkeeping.

We were outplayed in that first half. No doubt. After giving away a goal, up against a very good in form team.

Easy to attack our left if you overload it
Son drifts around rather than closing down anyone and that leaves two men to pass and move against our left back

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I have my doubts it could work too. His time here just seemed to have all the stars (almost) align perfectly. Not sure if that can happen again.

Reckon he’d have to give some of the lads that were stalwarts under him the heave ho too. Davies, Dier, Hugo and maybe Sonny and or Kane.

But, fudge me, I’d love to walk into that ground to a chorus of “he’s magic you know…” and dream a little bit.

The expectation and pressure on Poch second time round would be very different
He considered elite now
The club is in a different place (a big part thanks to him)
That makes it a whole different environment

 

[braineclipse]

Easy to attack our left if you overload it
Sim drifts around rather than closing down anyone and that leaves two men to pass and move against our left back

At the risk of "spacegoating", the performances of Lloris and Son have been a huge part in our problems this season.

Hope Richarlison gets the nod on the left soon if Son doesn't start finding form soon.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

At the risk of "spacegoating", the performances of Lloris and Son have been a huge part in our problems this season.

Hope Richarlison gets the nod on the left soon if Son doesn't start finding form soon.

Massive massive issues with those too
Richarlisons has to start next game
If like to see conte drop Hugo but he won’t so we will suffer there
It’s a big game too, City away, and we have seen Hugo have mares up there before