Tottenham V Liverpool (A) 20;00 6th Feb

[Dave]

Injuries, injuries, injuries....

With a fully fit squad, we have a bang average one.
I dont think this lot are good enough...
Vicario = Not as dodgy as Kinksy, but dodgy.

Udogie = Decent going forward, that's it.

Romero = Too hot headed, has been a liability over the last 12 months when he's fit.

Bentancur = Don't know how anybody rates him. He doesn't tackle, he doesn't dictate play, he doesn't get into the box, he doesn't track back.

Bissouma= Just bang average

Sonny= Club legend but he's finished.

Solanke= Works very hard and gives everything but he'll never get you 25/30 goals a season.

Maddison = Has talent but no consistency and offers little else. That's why only Newcastle and us were interested.

And more like:
Dragusin, Brennan, Werner, Sarr, etc....

Gray, Bergvall, Kulo, and VDV, are the only ones you could try and build a good side around. It's a start at least but the rest can do one as far as I'm concerned. But if things don't change for next season, I could see Kulo looking at other options.

Levy has ruined us. Everyone else will end up pointing fingers at each other while he counts his profits.

I'm beyond fed up...

 

[J.spurs]

Occasions like last night are good times to look at where a club are. I agree with @Dave about most of the established players, other than (maybe) Udogie. Gray, Bergvall, Deki, Porro and VdV are the foundation of this group. I'm almost at the point where I'd add Spence to that mix.

So we're really just hoping some unproven players--Tel, Odobert, Danso, etc will come good, and that Moore will fulfill his potential. If we're going to be competitive in the next few seasons, all of these players more or less will have to work out, and we'll have to bring in a few more. That's not even touching on the question of whether the manager is up to it.

Thinking about the game, it's painful to think about where the two teams were the last time they played in a final. Yes, at that point, we were on the way down, but there wasn't a huge gap in quality. Now, almost 6 years later, they are light years better than we are.

Saying that, I'm still somewhat optimistic, basically because I find it easier to get behind a team that plays attacking football, and I like the idea of investing in youth rather than the Mourinho/Conte approach. I've said earlier that even though this is the worst team we've had in the PL era, I'm actually more engaged with it than I have been since the Poch era.

 

[Dave]

I'd add Spence to that mix.

Agree, he would be another plus.

I do feel for Ange tbh but why Bergvall isn't a starter ahead of Bentancur, Sarr, or Bissouma I'll never know. Someone explain that thought process!?! Ah here, I'm depressing myself!!!

 

[Style And Glory]

Occasions like last night are good times to look at where a club are. I agree with @Dave about most of the established players, other than (maybe) Udogie. Gray, Bergvall, Deki, Porro and VdV are the foundation of this group. I'm almost at the point where I'd add Spence to that mix.

So we're really just hoping some unproven players--Tel, Odobert, Danso, etc will come good, and that Moore will fulfill his potential. If we're going to be competitive in the next few seasons, all of these players more or less will have to work out, and we'll have to bring in a few more. That's not even touching on the question of whether the manager is up to it.

Thinking about the game, it's painful to think about where the two teams were the last time they played in a final. Yes, at that point, we were on the way down, but there wasn't a huge gap in quality. Now, almost 6 years later, they are light years better than we are.

Saying that, I'm still somewhat optimistic, basically because I find it easier to get behind a team that plays attacking football, and I like the idea of investing in youth rather than the Mourinho/Conte approach. I've said earlier that even though this is the worst team we've had in the PL era, I'm actually more engaged with it than I have been since the Poch era.

This is where I'm at.
Certainly there's disappointment but the optimism is still there.

First & foremost (aside from Levy leaving the footballing side),the team needs a nucleus. A natural leader in the middle of the pitch. Not only with words, but with action. An inspirational leader that others look to. I don't see Sonny or Madds as the vocal & imposing figure that we require to rally the group. Romero appears to me as too rash & already looking to play elsewhere. We need someone with a real presence. The closest we have is Deki but I fear he's getting fed up.

Guys like Keane, Deschamps, Beckenbauer etc are rare & of an exceptional stature but surely there's someone out there

 

[J.spurs]

Guys like Keane, Deschamps, Beckenbauer etc are rare & of an exceptional stature but surely there's someone out there

I think these guys develop. Most elite players are sort of alpha personalities. I think really good coaches (i.e. not just the first team manager, but everyone involved in their development) help them grow in the leadership side of the game as well as the other stuff.

Lately I've noticed Gray getting stuck into some of the others--he had a vocal argument with Sonny not long ago--he's definitely showing signs of being the sort of mentality that doesn't suffer fools. Seems like as the season goes on more and more expectations are being piled on him, but he seems to have that "it" factor that makes a leader. Hopefully the coaching staff can cultivate that.

 

[Chavhater01]

This Liverpool team could win everything. I hate to say it but they’re so good.

@Chavhater01 On the midfield thing, I think it’s time to start playing Gray in his actual position. Has an assurance and vision that Sarr lacks

Bottom line is, that we need midfielders, who are comfortable in possession, and are consistent in performance, rather than what we currently have, who have 1 good game out of 4. We’re also crying out for some strong leaders within this group. Sonny is not captain material.

 

[Yid]

Just putting it out there... Winks and Skipp would have happily bled for the shirt...

 

[Style And Glory]

Just putting it out there... Winks and Skipp would have happily bled for the shirt...

^^^ I agree with this.

 

[Style And Glory]

Bottom line is, that we need midfielders, who are comfortable in possession, and are consistent in performance, rather than what we currently have, who have 1 good game out of 4. We’re also crying out for some strong leaders within this group. Sonny is not captain material.

That ball retention ability that Dembele had was remarkable.
His teammates knew he wouldn't relinquish it & that gave them the confidence to make their runs forward.
Now advanced players are more hesitant &/or stagnant b/c they may have to retreat.

 

[Style And Glory]

I think these guys develop. Most elite players are sort of alpha personalities. I think really good coaches (i.e. not just the first team manager, but everyone involved in their development) help them grow in the leadership side of the game as well as the other stuff.

Lately I've noticed Gray getting stuck into some of the others--he had a vocal argument with Sonny not long ago--he's definitely showing signs of being the sort of mentality that doesn't suffer fools. Seems like as the season goes on more and more expectations are being piled on him, but he seems to have that "it" factor that makes a leader. Hopefully the coaching staff can cultivate that.

It's in Gray's DNA.
He will be a captain soon.

Ange was a captain as was Mile Jedinak, who's part of the coaching staff. The latter being a fiery captain for Palace.
Surely they can recognize captain material.

I can only speculate that Son was chosen out of respect for what he's achieved on the pitch & being a senior player. Doesn't mean he's a suitable fit. Then again, I'm not in the dressing room.

I'm just seeing what is happening of late & I do not see him performing as he has. The players can certainly see his demise, especially in big games when he goes missing.

 

[J.spurs]

I can only speculate that Son was chosen out of respect for what he's achieved on the pitch & being a senior player. Doesn't mean he's a suitable fit. Then again, I'm not in the dressing room.

I'm just seeing what is happening of late & I do not see him performing as he has. The players can certainly see his demise, especially in big games when he goes missing.

I’m not ready to give up on him yet but it’s plain to see he needs some time off.