Sporting (A) CL Tuesday 13th September

[J.spurs]

We'll need a better performance than we had against Marseille in this one. Some interesting storylines--Marcus Edwards was IMO their best player against ze Germans last week, and a homecoming for Eric Dier. It would be nice to see us a little more on the front foot, but I fully expect that we'll be without the ball for most of the game, which is apparently how Tony likes it.

 

[NiceOneCyril]

I think we'll play our A game tonight. Or our B game. Maybe even our C game. Any of those will be better than the Marseille dross. 1-2 Spurs, Hugo will punch an own goal then save a penalty, Kane with a header inside the six and Sonny with a tap in from a Deki pullback.

 

[ClemFandango]

Son still starts and Kulusevski still on the bench. I know Conte has said the players need to get used to rotation, but there's very little of that at the moment.

 

[BrooklynYid]

I think Son gets the nod due to his speed. Sporting are not the quickest and are definitely vulnerable on the counter. Bet that was the thinking, but Kulu will definitely get some time. Would be amazing to get 3 points here. A draw would be OK. Just don't lose.

 

[J.spurs]

Son still starts and Kulusevski still on the bench. I know Conte has said the players need to get used to rotation, but there's very little of that at the moment.

Maybe (hopefully) Deki will be in the starting XI on the weekend.

 

[Havocc]

All of the front 3 are playing poorly this half, lack of energy with them.

 

[Havocc]

Inquest on why we let Edwards go…..

 

[ClemFandango]

Very scrappy, poor half really. They’ve given the ball away enough times that we should have done something with it.

 

[J.spurs]

Very scrappy, poor half really. They’ve given the ball away enough times that we should have done something with it.

Second half is starting exactly the same way.

 

[ClemFandango]

Second half is starting exactly the same way.

Yep, and Emerson is looking like our best player again.

 

[ClemFandango]

Finally ..

 

[ClemFandango]

Fucks sake. Can’t say we didn’t deserve that.

 

[BrooklynYid]

Crap.

 

[ClemFandango]

I don’t think I have enough expletives for that shit show

 

[Dave]

Can't be surprised at that in fairness. We've been riding our luck in several games this season. The results have been seriously papering over the cracks. Not good enough all over the pitch.

 

[J.spurs]

Fuck. Lots of blame to go around but bears repeating that Emerson is just not good enough.

 

[ClemFandango]

Fuck. Lots of blame to go around but bears repeating that Emerson is just not good enough.

And yet in the first half, he was showing signs of actually being a competent footballer.

 

[J.spurs]

And yet in the first half, he was showing signs of actually being a competent footballer.

Yes. I dont suggest he’s not good enough to play professional football anywhere. Just not at Tottenham.

Saying that, the manager is due a lot of criticism too.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Fuck. Lots of blame to go around but bears repeating that Emerson is just not good enough.

He was no worse than plenty of others mate.

For mine, Harry Kane was the worst player on the park. And it’s not even close.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Marcus Edwards is some footballer.

 

[Yid]

I missed it, watched that new Thor film... it was shit but doesn't sound as shit as Spurs.

 

[J.spurs]

He was no worse than plenty of others mate.

For mine, Harry Kane was the worst player on the park. And it’s not even close.

Yes. Different issue there. Kane, Son, and many others were very poor. But Conte’s system (another issue) depends on having very good wingbacks. They’re meant to be the focal point. Emerson can’t do what is required for that position, and imo that was painfully clear in the 2nd half today. He’s not especially pacy and he lacks end product. He’s also not a very good 1v1 defender at this level. To be fair I honestly don’t know why I’m piling on the poor bastard tonight, because you’re right—it was a shitty team performance. But his inclusion in the lineup is one big question mark for me re: Tony’s decision making. System first philosophy can only take a team so far.

 

[Dorset]

The only players that were not good enough last night were Emerson, Son, Kane, Hojberg, Dier, Davies. Fucking blimey, yet another pile of poo to endure.

 

[Dorset]

Inquest on why we let Edwards go…..

Attitude, work ethic, being an arrogant, entitled cunt, couldn't be fucked on loan to Norwich and the same problems he had at Spurs.... different bloke maybe to who he was 3 or 4 years ago?

 

[ClemFandango]

Attitude, work ethic, being an arrogant, entitled cunt, couldn't be fucked on loan to Norwich and the same problems he had at Spurs.... different bloke maybe to who he was 3 or 4 years ago?

This is the impression I got about him as well. By all accounts he thought he was Billy Big Bollocks everywhere he went and wasn't shy about letting people know that as well. Maybe he's just (finally) grown up ?

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

The only players that were not good enough last night were Emerson, Son, Kane, Hojberg, Dier, Davies. Fucking blimey, yet another pile of poo to endure.

You can add Romero to that list. He was pathetic. Have a look at his “effort” for the second goal. I’ve seen a few blame our resident whipping boy but Romero well and truly hung him out to dry.

 

[ClemFandango]

I have to wonder what Doherty has to do to get back in the side. He was in good form before he got injured and was a definite upgrade on Emerson.

 

[Yid]

I have to wonder what Doherty has to do to get back in the side. He was in good form before he got injured and was a definite upgrade on Emerson.

Prior to that, he was a stain...

 

[Don Diaz]

Just back from Lisbon. Lunch and a bar after the game with about 37 beers was the highlight.

 

[ClemFandango]

Prior to that, he was a stain...

Yeah, he was but he'd certainly turned it around and I think he certainly needs that chance again.