AC Milan (A) Champions League 14th Feb

[ClemFandango]

I’m honestly not expecting too much tonight. It’ll be more for the spectacle of playing a side like AC Milan at the San Siro.

The eternal optimist in me obviously wants a glorious night and a big upset win but we’ll see. A draw would do.

 

[BrooklynYid]

I really don't want to watch this, but then who knows the next time we'll have a CL match at the San Siro? I will begrudgingly watch, though I am not confident. Though they are almost as bad as we are Skipp, Sarr, Foster and Lenglet is a bit terrifying. Best hope is a draw.

 

[ClemFandango]

Forster was unlucky there. Two good saves and couldn’t do anything about the follow up.

Oh well

 

[Havocc]

Pressing well, unlucky with the goal. Good second save but I think Forster could do better with the first attempt, he seemed to chest it at first

Romero needs to be stronger, our front three need to show how good they are

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Watching this team feels like some sort of elaborate practical joke that is being played on my life.

 

[Havocc]

We’ve been good this first 15, lots of energy and playing forward when we can

 

[ClemFandango]

Yeah this is good stuff.

 

[ClemFandango]

Sarr has been very good as well

 

[Havocc]

Definitely a reaction from that cesspool of a performance against Leicester

 

[ClemFandango]

A lot better than I was expecting. Definitely in with a chance of at least a draw.

 

[Havocc]

Yeah, showing good character

 

[J.spurs]

We definitely responded well to the early goal, which was a bit weird in any case. It would be a real shame if we don't leave here with at least a draw. Sarr has been excellent IMO.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Romero is a butcher.

 

[Havocc]

Kjaer showing Dier how to defend the near post

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Someone please explain to me how we have improved under Conte.

This is fucking terrible. Again.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

And now we have Sarr and Davies shooting from 30 yards out.

We are completely out of ideas.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

What other organs does Conte not need? Appendix?

The only time we have looked any good at all has been when he’s in hospital and the shackles are released.

 

[ClemFandango]

I wasn’t expecting much out of the game but I certainly think a draw would have been a fair result.

We didn’t fold after the goal at least and I thought Sarr and Skipp acquitted themselves very well - Sarr especially.

The main problem in the second leg will be that Milan clearly know how to make it difficult for us by sitting so deep and we already know there’s little chance of Conte changing anything so …

 

[Havocc]

Considering the result at the weekend, the players missing and the reliance on two young midfielders, I think we did really well in the San Siro atmosphere.

I can see us winning the return leg with a couple back plus the home advantage.

I will criticise the front three though, they are a million times better than what they showed tonight and all 3 need to do more in these big games.

I include Richarlison here too,

 

[J.spurs]

Good in the first half. Terrible, passive second half, really lucky not to be down 3-0 heading home.

 

[Dave]

Someone please explain to me how we have improved under Conte.

This is fucking terrible. Again.

I'm puzzled too. We're playing an out of form side that's lost 3 from their last 4 in Serie A, yet they could've scored 3 at least and should have the tie buried.
Anyway, as far as the tie's concerned, we should beat this lot at the Lane and go through.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

I'm puzzled too. We're playing an out of form side that's lost 3 from their last 4 in Serie A, yet they could've scored 3 at least and should have the tie buried.
Anyway, as far as the tie's concerned, we should beat this lot at the Lane and go through.

I have no confidence in Conte's management anymore and I do not think the players are playing for him. He is just a more personable version of Mourinho as far as I can tell.

I refer to the game against City where we were absolutely sparkling. I put it down to Conte being absent and not continually micro-managing every aspect of the game from the sideline. Our guys actually looked relieved in that match, like a pressure valve had been released. The players are not allowed to play football when Conte is there, it is all just so process driven under him.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Considering the result at the weekend, the players missing and the reliance on two young midfielders, I think we did really well in the San Siro atmosphere.

I can see us winning the return leg with a couple back plus the home advantage.

I will criticise the front three though, they are a million times better than what they showed tonight and all 3 need to do more in these big games.

I include Richarlison here too,

Mate, I think a few of us have been beaten into submission and are now passing of mediocre performances as being decent. That mob have been shipping goals like there's no tomorrow for the last several months yet we created virtually nothing. It's almost like a version of Stockholm Syndrome. That was garbage today. We weren't playing against Bayern Munich or Napoli, that is a rubbish AC Milan team.

The only pass marks for me today were Sarr, Skipp and Emerson. The rest of them were terrible. And the buck stops with the manager I am afraid. The way he sets us up, with the world class attacking talent we have is criminal.

 

[BrooklynYid]

Hate to say it, but Kane was awful in this match. He got virtually everything wrong. At least we played hard. Our defending was very shaky even in the rare moments they went forward. We have a chance in the 2nd leg.

 

[Havocc]

@The Cryptkeeper possibly….although I am ever the optimist. I also feel once you decide Conte is not the manager, he is not going to win you over any time soon. So I do go into games without that influencing what I see. I do think the criticism given about the team on here and in general is fair, but I dont think it is all on Conte, nor do I think the only answer is to sack him (which is the general consensus around and about)

I am still in his corner for the moment. I do think we can have a good season, and we need to. If we fail to qualify for ECL next year and Conte fucks off, then it’s another rebuild.

I do think there is money available in the summer, we have some players leaving to open up spaces in the squad and perhaps a strong defence will see us play better football

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Hate to say it, but Kane was awful in this match. He got virtually everything wrong. At least we played hard. Our defending was very shaky even in the rare moments they went forward. We have a chance in the 2nd leg.

Kane wasn't good but Kjaer was allowed to mug him every time he got near it because the fouls were committed in safe areas for Milan.

Did Conte make any changes at all to get players around Kane? No.

Did Conte act to get Kane closer to goal instead of forcing him to drop deep? No.

Let's see if Kjaer has the stones to kick lumps out of Kane in the box. Conte literally gifted it to them.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

@The Cryptkeeper possibly….although I am ever the optimist. I also feel once you decide Conte is not the manager, he is not going to win you over any time soon. So I do go into games without that influencing what I see. I do think the criticism given about the team on here and in general is fair, but I dont think it is all on Conte, nor do I think the only answer is to sack him (which is the general consensus around and about)

I am still in his corner for the moment. I do think we can have a good season, and we need to. If we fail to qualify for ECL next year and Conte fucks off, then it’s another rebuild.

I do think there is money available in the summer, we have some players leaving to open up spaces in the squad and perhaps a strong defence will see us play better football

I was firmly in his corner, albeit with some criticism until the City game when he was in hospital and our players actually played football without fear of having their heads ripped off if they made a mistake. We've played one good game in 6 months, and that is no exaggeration. And it just happened to be when Conte wasn't directly managing the team. Coincidence?

I like Conte but he is too stubborn to see that what he is dong is not working. And he has no backup plan so we are essentially stuck with it.

Do you think we have improved under Conte? I am not being a smartarse in asking, I genuinely want to know because I might be missing something. And if we haven't, how long should he be given?

 

[Havocc]

Coincidence we beat City because Conte wasn't there-is a no from me, we have beaten City with Conte there. I feel this thing about Conte being here is a hindrance a load of BS. I cannot see anything which gives this opinion any type of justification.

You could spin it and say the Players put on that performance for Conte. They played to show him they care etc. As I said, the manager seems to be a decisive factor which fans, but then we knew that from day 1!!.

We have played better games this season too. Remember, Pep started that game without Diaz, Cancelo, Laporte, Gundogan and KDB. That’s like us heading into a game without Lloris, Sess, PEH and Bentancor (see what I did there )

If I compare this team to the Jose and Nuno team, then yes, I have seen an improvement. We amassed the highest number of points and goals, only beaten by City. So that stat’s don’t lie. But then I am very much results over performance. Which is another issue with Conte…..the style of play is not good for fans who want more attacking football.

If you look at some of these matches, results and performances, they are unbelievable performances.

I would like him to have another transfer window. I do think the players bought in have made us better to watch. I would like to see him get some proper CB’s to stop the anxiety felt by the rest of the team. It’s obvious to all that the defence is the biggest issue in this team and Comte’s system.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Coincidence we beat City because Conte wasn't there-is a no from me, we have beaten City with Conte there. I feel this thing about Conte being here is a hindrance a load of BS. I cannot see anything which gives this opinion any type of justification.

You could spin it and say the Players put on that performance for Conte. They played to show him they care etc. As I said, the manager seems to be a decisive factor which fans, but then we knew that from day 1!!.

We have played better games this season too. Remember, Pep started that game without Diaz, Cancelo, Laporte, Gundogan and KDB. That’s like us heading into a game without Lloris, Sess, PEH and Bentancor (see what I did there )

If I compare this team to the Jose and Nuno team, then yes, I have seen an improvement. We amassed the highest number of points and goals, only beaten by City. So that stat’s don’t lie. But then I am very much results over performance. Which is another issue with Conte…..the style of play is not good for fans who want more attacking football.

If you look at some of these matches, results and performances, they are unbelievable performances.

I would like him to have another transfer window. I do think the players bought in have made us better to watch. I would like to see him get some proper CB’s to stop the anxiety felt by the rest of the team. It’s obvious to all that the defence is the biggest issue in this team and Comte’s system.

Fair enough.

I just can't watch it mate. And I am not in agreement that we have improved. We improved sharply as soon as he got here but it is inarguable that we have regressed this season,

I am also of the opinion than until he either signs a new contract or leaves then we are treading water. I despise Daniel Levy but if I was DL there is no way I am backing a manager who won't commit longer term. Add the lack of youth development (Conte is anti-pedo, he does not like kids at all) and we are set up for long term pain chasing short term success, which is not coming.

At the start of the season, virtually every pundit going around said that Spurs were well ahead of Arsenal. Better squad, better manager, CL qualification, etc...but Arsenal are likely to win the league this season with a progressive young manager who actually puts his opposition on the back foot because his team is set up to do so. And as much as I hate them, they play beautiful football. Yet we have two Golden Boot winners in our team but don't play to our strengths. Stevie Wonder can see that Son has lost half a yard of pace, Kulusevski is brilliant but slow, as is Kane yet we still set up to score on the break. It's so predictable.

I like Conte, I genuinely do. But he has no plan B and plan A does not work. And another transfer window is not going to be enough, nor is the amount of funding that Levy will provide.

Just a question, which were the "unbelievable performances" this season, City aside? We stole a lot of points early in the season and our table position is still somewhat fraudulent as far as I can see. We could easily be 10 points worse off.

 

[J.spurs]

My thought was that Conte stressed caution at halftime--let's try to nick one, but make sure we don't concede a second and kill the tie. It was awful, and we dodged a bullet, because they should've finished us off. And as others have pointed out, Milan have been terrible since the World Cup.