I think he means the latter. It wasn’t a massive change, whether he told Bentancur to play a bit flatter than Sarr or whether that’s what he decided to do on his own or just his own natural game wanting to come towards ball a bit more it was slightly differentDid we change shape? Not arguing with you - but I thought Ange has made it clear on many occassions that we won't change the way we play. Or is it the case that when he makes those statements he means we will always be (under him) a possession based team looking to take the game to the opposition?
think that was more down to Bentancur. As soon as he got injured the midfield was horrible. It was even more open than it is now even though we defended in our half.It's easy to forget how good Hojbjerg and Bentancur were together.
What was Bissouma doing on the edge of the box taking potshots. Surely that should be Maddison . The chances of Biss scoring are pretty minimal.Nah. I thought Bissouma was OK when we were ok first 25mins but once we dropped off he was awful.
Hojbjerg was much better than him yesterday, mad minute aside, he deserves to start v Newcastle
Much better variety of passing in his locker than Biss, but not as good at carrying the ball, but still gives us more at the moment.
I thought it was more a general change for the team, something they had worked on as pretty much all of them have been avoiding taking a shot from 20 yards out for ages now.What was Bissouma doing on the edge of the box taking potshots. Surely that should be Maddison . The chances of Biss scoring are pretty minimal.
This, I think it starts bringing midfielders out to close down spaces. We either score or create spaces as teams adaptI thought it was more a general change for the team, something they had worked on as pretty much all of them have been avoiding taking a shot from 20 yards out for ages now.
not against it. Would be interesting to see how he does with Sarr and Maddison ahead of himNah. I thought Bissouma was OK when we were ok first 25mins but once we dropped off he was awful.
Hojbjerg was much better than him yesterday, mad minute aside, he deserves to start v Newcastle
Much better variety of passing in his locker than Biss, but not as good at carrying the ball, but still gives us more at the moment.
With the strong probability that we will be playing Europe next season, we need quality cover in all positions. I don’t see how we could get better cover for Maddison than GLC, to buy his quality would not be cheap and we have quite a number of areas to strengthen (I don’t see Kulu as adequate cover and Donley will likely be out on loan). Aside from the fear of injuries, I don't see us improving on him and he actually looks like he could push Maddison for a starting spot if Madds performances don’t get back to pre-injury levels.What we have is a game by game scape goat
last season peh was spoken about like he was Sunday league standard - 90% of fame here wanted him given away to anyone
Emerson was some - awful abuse
even son - past it - no good anymore
now bissouma is not playing to the high standards he was at the start of the season - get rid he is shit limited
kulu same treatment
Richarlison same
Solomon - played very few games bad injury - some say not Good enough (based on what)
after the first 1 or 2 games same with vic
For me the key to managing a top team is having a squad of players - with several different attributes and recognising when a different attribute is needed to affect a certain game and also recognising when players are out of form and when you need to rest them or let them play through a bad spell
the players we should move on are sess and gio and gil all of them since they have been at spurs have been fit for any length of time and cannot be relied upon at all - gio does ok when he does play - does some excellent stuff but not enough
The big change was Sarr off for Bentancur. Sarr has been excellent but he's still growing and getting better. He's just a bit loose in midfield and over eager at times to press forward which when the opposition pass him leaves us short in midfield. Its ok in open games but gives up the counter to teams who sit back. We had this issue before with Hojbjerg getting exposed but signed Bentancur who is more disciplined and his experience at the top level shows. I think both Bissouma and Hojbjerg struggle if they're left as a 1 and it's not a surprise either.as many would. It feels when we play 2 of Hojbjerg, Bissouma and Bentancur that it's more of a central 2. With Sarr it feels more like a staggered 3 with a 6 deeper, Sarr more advanced and then Maddison more advanced again. This is where our defence struggles the most with lack of protection in front. With 2 attacking fullbacks we need 2 hard working central midfielders who can each track back and fill the counters in behind the fullbacks if they're caught forward.
Thing is how we play now it doesn't matter how isolated the Holding mid is, the ball is past them in seconds regardless of whether it's a two or three. Then VDV and Romero either deal with it or they don't. Where that deeper mid makes the biggest difference is when we play out. Bis is more comfortable taking the ball under pressure and playing out one or two touch. for me PEH on the other hand is better when we are camped in the oppositions half and able to play forward. I don't think either are ideal for how we are set up personally and we need a player who is more a combination of the two.think that was more down to Bentancur. As soon as he got injured the midfield was horrible. It was even more open than it is now even though we defended in our half.
I do find it interesting last year it was often said Hojberg was isolated and had to do two peoples jobs but Bisoumma who has more space to defend and often more isolated gets no leeway. play Biss and Bentancur together for a sustained period together it’ll be a level above what that partnership was last year imo