Phomesy
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- Aug 20, 2013
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Match Threads Spurs vs Ajax - Match Thread - Semi-final 1st leg
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spursbhoy67
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- Dec 20, 2006
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One of my concerns with Poch is that he is more of a reactive manager/coach than proactive. His half time team talks tend to work and he gets a response in the second half. What he needs to do is set his team up properly to start the game, so we can start on the front foot. How many big games this season or in Poch's tenure have we won in the first half?
The second half performances show the players listen to him and trust him. He needs to get them to really buy into how he sets the team up.
He got it wrong in a big game again tonight - line up, set up, tactics, preparation. He did change midway through which is credit to him, but he and his scouting staff need to get things right from the kick off.
Ajax were very well prepared for us. It did not look like we had put in the same level of preparation.
By way of comparison with Liverpool. I heard that Huddersfield played the same kick off in their previous five games and Liverpool prepared for their kick off even through to letting them kick off after the toss. Yes, it was relegated Huddersfield, but they watched at least five games and were attentive to detail. They took nothing for granted. Yet again it looks like we did not have that same level of preparation.
The second half performances show the players listen to him and trust him. He needs to get them to really buy into how he sets the team up.
He got it wrong in a big game again tonight - line up, set up, tactics, preparation. He did change midway through which is credit to him, but he and his scouting staff need to get things right from the kick off.
Ajax were very well prepared for us. It did not look like we had put in the same level of preparation.
By way of comparison with Liverpool. I heard that Huddersfield played the same kick off in their previous five games and Liverpool prepared for their kick off even through to letting them kick off after the toss. Yes, it was relegated Huddersfield, but they watched at least five games and were attentive to detail. They took nothing for granted. Yet again it looks like we did not have that same level of preparation.
mattdefoe
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- Jul 16, 2009
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What I really do not understand is ajax are a watered down version of man city, yet tonight we changed our shape and formation . We also didn’t defend anywhere near as well In the opening stages
Positives are for me is that ajax isn’t an away day like Barcelona or Liverpool where it feels impossible.
We Should be going there an winning and at least scoring a couple , epscially If we get some firepower back.
As pep said against us he knew what his side needed to do and they were very close to doing it . This champions league is all about 2nd legs this year , utd won away at psg from a worse position
Oh and to further add ajax had a huge rest, they have a game on Sunday and there’s neck and neck with PSV
Positives are for me is that ajax isn’t an away day like Barcelona or Liverpool where it feels impossible.
We Should be going there an winning and at least scoring a couple , epscially If we get some firepower back.
As pep said against us he knew what his side needed to do and they were very close to doing it . This champions league is all about 2nd legs this year , utd won away at psg from a worse position
Oh and to further add ajax had a huge rest, they have a game on Sunday and there’s neck and neck with PSV
Phomesy
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- Aug 20, 2013
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I assumed Sissoko was not in the squad so Poch was doing his “pick my best players not the best formation” schtick
This one (as far as he is restricted by our injuries) was definitely in Poch. Awful starting tactics
Sid Tottenham
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- Jul 1, 2015
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Showed them too much respect given our injuries/suspensions understandable I guess
Hopefully we’ve learned from that still in the tie no where near over
Sissoko what a guy he is amazing what turn around from him absolute beast
After the first 20 minutes I’m thinking fk me this team is different class but they ain’t they’re a great young team we just showed them too much respect as I said before, 2nd leg should be a great game.
If we don’t make it I’d be disappointed but I’d want them too win the whole thing.
Hopefully we’ve learned from that still in the tie no where near over
Sissoko what a guy he is amazing what turn around from him absolute beast
After the first 20 minutes I’m thinking fk me this team is different class but they ain’t they’re a great young team we just showed them too much respect as I said before, 2nd leg should be a great game.
If we don’t make it I’d be disappointed but I’d want them too win the whole thing.
Davo99
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- Dec 2, 2006
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The only way we should have gone three at the back should have been if Dier was playing instead of Wanyama in that ‘centre back while defending, steps out as a midfielder when we have the ball’ role.
With the three out-and-out centre halves we had behind Wanyama, we were completely outnumbered and overran in the midfield. All we could do was clear our lines and get back into our defensive shape as wave after wave of slick Ajax attacks came over and over. We need to match them for numbers in the midfield for the second leg. Son coming in for Lucas and maybe even Kane for Llorente and we will look much more dangerous in the final third. If we scored 3 at the Etihad, we can get at least two in Amsterdam.
Harsh on Lucas, I thought he tried really hard tonight and couldn’t have done much more, but he’s just not a striker. He’d still a great option from the bench if we needed a goal and more attacking threat in the second leg.
With the three out-and-out centre halves we had behind Wanyama, we were completely outnumbered and overran in the midfield. All we could do was clear our lines and get back into our defensive shape as wave after wave of slick Ajax attacks came over and over. We need to match them for numbers in the midfield for the second leg. Son coming in for Lucas and maybe even Kane for Llorente and we will look much more dangerous in the final third. If we scored 3 at the Etihad, we can get at least two in Amsterdam.
Harsh on Lucas, I thought he tried really hard tonight and couldn’t have done much more, but he’s just not a striker. He’d still a great option from the bench if we needed a goal and more attacking threat in the second leg.
Poch got it completely wrong and what a time to do it. Ajax were a joy to watch in the first 30 mins.
Sissoko is by far our most important player at the moment. We need him against Bouremouth on the weekend but he needs to be rested for the Ajax game.
We will be a different proposition with Son in the team. It will bring Eriksen and Alli into the game. I would leave Llorente on the bench in the second leg.
Its only 1-0. This tie is far from over.
Sissoko is by far our most important player at the moment. We need him against Bouremouth on the weekend but he needs to be rested for the Ajax game.
We will be a different proposition with Son in the team. It will bring Eriksen and Alli into the game. I would leave Llorente on the bench in the second leg.
Its only 1-0. This tie is far from over.
The moment Sanchez signed (maybe also around the time Dier supposedly told Poch he was only interested in midfield) the idea of Dier as a third centre half switching to midfield went out the window. Weird considering it was incredibly successful and a part of our setup that was so often praised.
Goldman
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- Jul 14, 2004
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I think people’s match reports will differ after some time.
If you look at our team, injury and suspension depleted, they held on against a vibrant young team which has blown big teams away previously in the tournament.
I think most people will agree the first half was not acceptable and we were by far second best. But the introduction of Sissoko provided us with a bit more threat in the second half, but we just did not have enough with the players on the night.
Ajax can be got at, with Son back, we are well and truly in this.
My gut says 2-1 away win - Son two goals - COYS!
If you look at our team, injury and suspension depleted, they held on against a vibrant young team which has blown big teams away previously in the tournament.
I think most people will agree the first half was not acceptable and we were by far second best. But the introduction of Sissoko provided us with a bit more threat in the second half, but we just did not have enough with the players on the night.
Ajax can be got at, with Son back, we are well and truly in this.
My gut says 2-1 away win - Son two goals - COYS!
Very possible. I wondered on the Sissoko thread when he might have got on had JV not been injured. MP clearly thought he wasn't right to start, yet he plays 60 minutes breaking up Ajax's rhythm, driving them back and may well have saved us from being humiliated in front of a worldwide audience. I cannot understand how he didn't start given the performance he put in.
ToDarrenIsToDo
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- Aug 22, 2017
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Thought I'd avoid this place until everyone got their melting out of their system.
Reality is we've had two semi finals this season, both two legged and have had to do without Kane & Son at the same time in both of them, yet we are still in it.
How I see it is once we reverted to a back four, our midfield became stronger and Sissoko overpowered them. They will need to try and score as a one goal lead really isn't enough & we will have Son back.
If we score first, with the away goal rule swinging in our favour for the rest of the game, even if it goes to extra time we will be favourites. We'd have had to score over there anyway as far as I am concerned so, with a depleted squad void of our best defensive formation, our central midfield pair and our striking pair all in all 0-1 really isn't that bad.
A fully fit squad, like Ajax had would have seen our team have the following changes:
Lloris
Aurier
Alderweireld
Vertonghen
Rose
Winks
Sissoko
Eriksen
Dele
Son
Kane
We had to draft in Trippier, Sanchez, Wanyama, Lucas & Llorente whereas Ajax literally had the cleanest bill of health you could ask for or imagine. Take it on the chin that the luck was against us as we had to play a 34 year old man up front, it happens.
We are still in this & with that Neres miss, all the pressure is on them for the first time in their young careers.
Go a goal up and I make us favourites. I think Ajax missed a big chance tonight as we were always relying on the luck of backup players pulling something out of the hat with only 2 full days rest before this one. They have a cup final on Sunday, let's see how their press works with 2 days like we've had + a full 90 minutes of Sissoko & Son
Reality is we've had two semi finals this season, both two legged and have had to do without Kane & Son at the same time in both of them, yet we are still in it.
How I see it is once we reverted to a back four, our midfield became stronger and Sissoko overpowered them. They will need to try and score as a one goal lead really isn't enough & we will have Son back.
If we score first, with the away goal rule swinging in our favour for the rest of the game, even if it goes to extra time we will be favourites. We'd have had to score over there anyway as far as I am concerned so, with a depleted squad void of our best defensive formation, our central midfield pair and our striking pair all in all 0-1 really isn't that bad.
A fully fit squad, like Ajax had would have seen our team have the following changes:
Lloris
Aurier
Alderweireld
Vertonghen
Rose
Winks
Sissoko
Eriksen
Dele
Son
Kane
We had to draft in Trippier, Sanchez, Wanyama, Lucas & Llorente whereas Ajax literally had the cleanest bill of health you could ask for or imagine. Take it on the chin that the luck was against us as we had to play a 34 year old man up front, it happens.
We are still in this & with that Neres miss, all the pressure is on them for the first time in their young careers.
Go a goal up and I make us favourites. I think Ajax missed a big chance tonight as we were always relying on the luck of backup players pulling something out of the hat with only 2 full days rest before this one. They have a cup final on Sunday, let's see how their press works with 2 days like we've had + a full 90 minutes of Sissoko & Son
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glacierSpurs
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- Sep 28, 2013
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Fukc my work for the fatigue, as the 3am KO didn't help and I overslept and missed such a monumental game live.
After watching on my own love, on delay without knowing the score, I thought we stood as much chance, if not more, as we could be at 0-0.
Ajax were good, like all the pundits and our enemies in the world would say yada yada yada. But seriously, they were not that good IMVHO... This was the weakest team we could field and they only had one goal. The second half they were not even threatening as I thought they will.. If it was not against us in the semi which everyone in the universe hates, this Ajax team will never get all the hype they are getting now.
Fearless and energetic yes, but not without weaknesses. I thought they looked kinda edgy too as we pushed. They reminded me of the 2015/2016 team we had that challenged Leicester City at some point; they are lacking some big stage experience although beating the likes of Juventus and RM.
Credit where it's due. It was entertaining from them and good for them for getting the early goal. Good for us too they kinda didnt step up from there.
A special mention to this guy. But what a player Sissoko has been for us. Changed the whole dynamics of the game and we had so much control over the midfield before he was there.
But Llorente despite having better control today, I just wished we have none of him.. Ffs, he handicapped our play and reduce the effectiveness of our AMs.
Disappointing from Dele and Eriksen yet again. Not sure when these dry spells from them will go away. Really need them to perform without other AMs we could count on now.. These two needed some rockets up their asses.
If Verts and Kane are available for the return leg , plus having Sissoko and Son to play right from the start, I really feel we have some chances in the return leg. The motivation will be higher now than a lucky 0-0.
In a knock out round, anything can happen. And we need to get the pressure into this young, fearless, flawless, scintillating Ajax side (fuck these pundits).
After watching on my own love, on delay without knowing the score, I thought we stood as much chance, if not more, as we could be at 0-0.
Ajax were good, like all the pundits and our enemies in the world would say yada yada yada. But seriously, they were not that good IMVHO... This was the weakest team we could field and they only had one goal. The second half they were not even threatening as I thought they will.. If it was not against us in the semi which everyone in the universe hates, this Ajax team will never get all the hype they are getting now.
Fearless and energetic yes, but not without weaknesses. I thought they looked kinda edgy too as we pushed. They reminded me of the 2015/2016 team we had that challenged Leicester City at some point; they are lacking some big stage experience although beating the likes of Juventus and RM.
Credit where it's due. It was entertaining from them and good for them for getting the early goal. Good for us too they kinda didnt step up from there.
A special mention to this guy. But what a player Sissoko has been for us. Changed the whole dynamics of the game and we had so much control over the midfield before he was there.
But Llorente despite having better control today, I just wished we have none of him.. Ffs, he handicapped our play and reduce the effectiveness of our AMs.
Disappointing from Dele and Eriksen yet again. Not sure when these dry spells from them will go away. Really need them to perform without other AMs we could count on now.. These two needed some rockets up their asses.
If Verts and Kane are available for the return leg , plus having Sissoko and Son to play right from the start, I really feel we have some chances in the return leg. The motivation will be higher now than a lucky 0-0.
In a knock out round, anything can happen. And we need to get the pressure into this young, fearless, flawless, scintillating Ajax side (fuck these pundits).
Could basically copy and paste this from nearly any other match thread this season; awful first half, Poch got it tactically wrong, another injury, Trippier inept, Llorente too old and immobile, Dele/Eriksen let us down, Sissoko a beast. It was shit, but we are still in it and in a weird way I'm probably more confident than I would have been at 1-0 up cos... It's Tottenham. Saw enough in the 2nd half to think that if Sissoko and Son play next week we can beat them. Be helpful if Dele and Eriksen turned up as well.
fortworthspur
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- Nov 12, 2007
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well that fucking sucked. I suppose the good news is as anemic as we were we still have a chance only being down by one.
shelfboy68
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- Jun 14, 2008
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Only spurs can get to two semi finals and be poor in both it's asking a lot of a team to turn this around Ajax for me will score a couple back home.
[QUOTE="Reece, post: 6309632, member: 5002"］
Son got booked and suspended because he didn’t know he’d be banned? That trumps any bad luck with injuries, that’s making your own ‘bad luck’ if ever i’ve seen it.[/QUOTE]
I was really surprised when he said that. No one from the team told him about that? We should have told him so that he would be aware of that. As far as I remember, the booking was for stopping City’ attack just outside the penalty box. So I can’t really say it was a good foul or bad foul. At least it was to stop their play. If Son took off his shirt after he scored, the yellow card would be totally worthless to get. Would be a stupid booking.
Son got booked and suspended because he didn’t know he’d be banned? That trumps any bad luck with injuries, that’s making your own ‘bad luck’ if ever i’ve seen it.[/QUOTE]
I was really surprised when he said that. No one from the team told him about that? We should have told him so that he would be aware of that. As far as I remember, the booking was for stopping City’ attack just outside the penalty box. So I can’t really say it was a good foul or bad foul. At least it was to stop their play. If Son took off his shirt after he scored, the yellow card would be totally worthless to get. Would be a stupid booking.
