Sat : 13th Apr : 2024 : 12-30 : Away : NEWCASTLE v SPURS

[Chavhater01]

Those first 10 games, teams were affording us a lot more space, Maddison was pulling the strings in midfield, we had Udogie and Porro getting in behind, Bissouma was playing balls between the lines.

Now though, teams have worked us out, and our levels have dropped way off. I’ll also say till I’m blue in the face, our attacking options are geared towards counter attacking football, they all need space in front of them, none of them excel at playing in tight areas.

Dier saying that Ange doesn’t do much tactical work, well it’s really starting to show. Think we’ve dropped off coz we have a team full of very capable players but very few of them, are world class, if any, they’re decent footballers but with decent footballers they tend to have ups and downs, and we’re seeing a lot of downs atm. No one’s providing any kind of a spark. We need a 6, an amf, winger and striker.

 

[ClemFandango]

Nice little stat that raised a smile after yesterday's durge ..

Arteta's first season in the Premiership: 38 matches played, 56 points.
Ange's first season in the Premiership: 32 matches played, 60 points.

 

[ClemFandango]

Fair comment from Ali Gold as well ..

"Spurs were horrendous, but Postecoglou's painful growth comments hold. Tottenham have more points at this stage than in any season in the past 5 years and have scored more. They've conceded two fewer than last year despite the defeats at Newcastle & Fulham."

 

[J.spurs]

Those first 10 games, teams were affording us a lot more space, Maddison was pulling the strings in midfield, we had Udogie and Porro getting in behind, Bissouma was playing balls between the lines.

Now though, teams have worked us out, and our levels have dropped way off. I’ll also say till I’m blue in the face, our attacking options are geared towards counter attacking football, they all need space in front of them, none of them excel at playing in tight areas.

Dier saying that Ange doesn’t do much tactical work, well it’s really starting to show. Think we’ve dropped off coz we have a team full of very capable players but very few of them, are world class, if any, they’re decent footballers but with decent footballers they tend to have ups and downs, and we’re seeing a lot of downs atm. No one’s providing any kind of a spark. We need a 6, an amf, winger and striker.

I think the results and performances bear out what you're saying. What's interesting is that lots of opposing managers still talk about how hard it is to play against us. Eddie Howe even said it after the game--more or less that they had to get it just right to win, which is what we did. It's a difficult system to play against, and it would be even harder if we had upgrades in one or two positions. But it's also a difficult system to play in, so a bad day at the office can be a disaster if the other team has their tactics sorted out.

For me, the most urgent need is a proper center forward (which is why I keep saying we'd be in the title chase if we'd kept that fellow we had.) But overall, I think you're right about the wide players too--we don't have the front line that some of our competitors at the top of the table do. I'd probably include Villa in that too.

 

[Dorset]

I think the results and performances bear out what you're saying. What's interesting is that lots of opposing managers still talk about how hard it is to play against us. Eddie Howe even said it after the game--more or less that they had to get it just right to win, which is what we did. It's a difficult system to play against, and it would be even harder if we had upgrades in one or two positions. But it's also a difficult system to play in, so a bad day at the office can be a disaster if the other team has their tactics sorted out.

For me, the most urgent need is a proper center forward (which is why I keep saying we'd be in the title chase if we'd kept that fellow we had.) But overall, I think you're right about the wide players too--we don't have the front line that some of our competitors at the top of the table do. I'd probably include Villa in that too.

Not just a center forward, we need someone like that James Madison bloke who can make creative moves and do some inventive stuff and play in some nice balls to that center forward, but where would we get a bloke like that? We need a bit of Spanish Inquisition style football, nobody ever expects the Spanish Inquisition do they? It seems that all the other teams have got us worked out and have changed their tactics to thwart us. 'Thwart' is a good word innit. It shall be my word of the week: We got thwarted right up the back door without lube on Saturday, Taliban United gave us a right good thwarting, Spanish lessons are thwarting the fuck out of my brain - who knew there were so many ways of saying the same fucking thing?

 

[Yid]

I think the results and performances bear out what you're saying. What's interesting is that lots of opposing managers still talk about how hard it is to play against us. Eddie Howe even said it after the game--more or less that they had to get it just right to win, which is what we did. It's a difficult system to play against, and it would be even harder if we had upgrades in one or two positions. But it's also a difficult system to play in, so a bad day at the office can be a disaster if the other team has their tactics sorted out.

For me, the most urgent need is a proper center forward (which is why I keep saying we'd be in the title chase if we'd kept that fellow we had.) But overall, I think you're right about the wide players too--we don't have the front line that some of our competitors at the top of the table do. I'd probably include Villa in that too.

Not many gaffers are gonna come out and call it a piece of piss are they...?

And to be fair, Newcastle out worked us all over the pitch. More desire, will, and fight everywhere. So it may have been hard work for them, but I don't necessarily buy that it's overly complicated.

1. They worked harder on and off the ball.
2. Out of possession they got goal side quickly and condensed the play forcing us wide where we we're woefully ineffective.
3. They went man for man in and out of possession taking responsibility for their impact on the game.

I didn't see much more than that. I confess my managerial experience is limited to a few games of kids football and a few seasons of the Footy Manager computer game with Scunthorpe as a 13 year old.

I agree that there needs to be some new faces in the summer.

But I don't think we can overlook how easily these players got beat man for man, and their attitude at getting beat. It wasn't good and it was in contrast to what we thought this group stood for. We were told about the never say die attitude and the steel that Ange has installed in the side... That vanished under minimal pressure.

Maybe it was just an bad day, maybe we've been found out, maybe Ange will sparkle us with taking his hands out of his pockets and fire a few words of instructions to adjust the play and/or attitudes?

I'll be thoroughly pissed if our season fizzles out to fuck all after the first ⅔ looked so promising.

But I will remind myself that it's still a free swing for Ange and some of these players (big shorts can fuck off) as this is still their first year together.

 

[Strikegold]

My ratings for our team v Newcastle.
Vicario.......4
Porro.........4
Romero.....3
Vdv............3
Udogie......4.5
Bentancur.5
Bissouma.4
Maddison.6
Johnson...4
Son...........2.5
Werner......4
Subs rated for impact and quality.
Royal.......5
Hojbjerg..5.5
Kulusev...5
Sarr.........4

Ange Postecoglou 3

 

[J.spurs]

Not many gaffers are gonna come out and call it a piece of piss are they...?

And to be fair, Newcastle out worked us all over the pitch. More desire, will, and fight everywhere. So it may have been hard work for them, but I don't necessarily buy that it's overly complicated.

1. They worked harder on and off the ball.
2. Out of possession they got goal side quickly and condensed the play forcing us wide where we we're woefully ineffective.
3. They went man for man in and out of possession taking responsibility for their impact on the game.

I didn't see much more than that. I confess my managerial experience is limited to a few games of kids football and a few seasons of the Footy Manager computer game with Scunthorpe as a 13 year old.

I agree that there needs to be some new faces in the summer.

But I don't think we can overlook how easily these players got beat man for man, and their attitude at getting beat. It wasn't good and it was in contrast to what we thought this group stood for. We were told about the never say die attitude and the steel that Ange has installed in the side... That vanished under minimal pressure.

Maybe it was just an bad day, maybe we've been found out, maybe Ange will sparkle us with taking his hands out of his pockets and fire a few words of instructions to adjust the play and/or attitudes?

I'll be thoroughly pissed if our season fizzles out to fuck all after the first ⅔ looked so promising.

But I will remind myself that it's still a free swing for Ange and some of these players (big shorts can fuck off) as this is still their first year together.

Yeah, as you say time will tell. I’m not saying it’s overly complicated, just that it’s high reward (we’re tough to play against) and high risk (if we cock up it’s an absolute shit show.) Either way, the effort for whatever reason wasn’t good enough.

 

[Strikegold]

Yeah, as you say time will tell. I’m not saying it’s overly complicated, just that it’s high reward (we’re tough to play against) and high risk (if we cock up it’s an absolute shit show.) Either way, the effort for whatever reason wasn’t good enough.

There was a lot wrong and as has been said the attitude and fight was worrying. I hope this does not reflect the manger / player buy in.
Ange is 58 and unlikely to change his ways now. Eric Dier kind of put the boot in over a lack of tactical training, how much truth or relevance that has I don't know.
We have captains on the pitch but they might need some help from the touchline during times of adversity.....are they getting that from the manager ? He seems very passive. Ryan Mason can get vocal sometimes.
For me only Maddison possibly has the organisational mindset to have an influence.

We do have a pattern of play, the way Ange wants it I guess, but it is predictable and precarious in defence with our CBs often exposed or high up the pitch. Porro and Udogie can defend but it's not their strength and that's if they are in our half !!
It might be old fashioned but having a tight defence and keeping clean sheets I thought was the first basis to build from.
Our defence is vulnerable, the midfield unsettled and lacking enough quality in creation and we don't have a decent striker. It adds up to a recipe that doesn't inspire confidence. There was a time under Poch that I fancied us to beat anyone, now I feel almost the opposite.

 

[Yid]

Don't disagree much with the above, however we have seen that when we get into gear, the opposition can seriously struggle to deal with an on song marauding Spurs. It's magnificent to watch, but like you said... When it doesn't work and we continue to trudge on with the same tactic... We become very vulnerable and incidents like the weekend can happen.

Let's hope with some renewed vigour, a nice couple of weeks rest, and a fucking rocket up their arse in the form of 4th only will be CL football and it's the NLD that could end the Cuckoo's season, we see a very different Spurs and result next time we pull on the littywhites.