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Ratings v Fiorentina (Home)

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    214
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Dan Yeats

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2011
2,796
2,911
Lloris - 6 - Not one of his convincing displays.

Walker - 7.5 - Solid all night.
Fazio - 7.5 - Handled Gomez no problem.
Vertonghen - 7.5
Davies - 7 - Solid.

Bentaleb - 8 - Very very good.
Paulinho - 4 - Useless. Just doesn't play with any heart. Looks scared.

Chadli - 4.5 - Has to score one of his two clear cut chances and should have been more aggressive with the ball in good areas.
Eriksen - 4 - Bit invisible.
Townsend - 7.5 - Biggest attacking threat.

Soldado 1st Half - 7
Soldado 2nd Half - 3

Kane - 5.5 - Couldn't really get involved, needs to play the 9.
Lamela - 3.5 - Useless. Might as well get a track runner if we just want someone to run around and pressure and do nothing when they have the ball.
Mason - NET

Poch - Poor substitutions.

Might be a rough week or two for us. Very possibly going to go out of Europe, underdogs in the cup final, and some tough league matches coming up having just lost to Liverpool. Need to right the ship vs West Ham and then rest up for 2 huge matches. Don't want to go out of Europe again.

At HT we were unlucky not to lead, but on the 90 a draw is probably just about fair. We saw the real Fiorentina second half, they played more like QPR did in the first 45.
Agree with all but The Mighty Llama. He just wasn't supported by the players around him.

Agree about the subs.

Mason for Paulinho early on, and Kane for Bobby (or even starting both), we'd have pantsed them. Not to say that Bobby didn't do well, he did - and proved that if you provide him with crosses (ie Townsend) then he can reply with vollies. That's how he scored so many goals pre-spurs, but we've never really given him much of that supply line. Even without that though, he contributes a lot dropping back.
 

Dan Yeats

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2011
2,796
2,911
Talksport just said we "have a mountain to climb" in the second leg. Bollocks do we. Same team, but with Mason and Kane, we'll rip them to shreds.

And remember - away goals rule applies only AFTER extra time in the wafer. We'll take them way before that, especially given the fitness levels Poch has produced wit his demanding training regime.
 

thinktank

Hmmm...
Sep 28, 2004
45,893
68,893
Who are you and what the fuck have you done to @thinktank ?!

invasion-title.jpg

Call it as I see it. When yer shit, yer shit; when yer good, yer good.

If you play well for my club and play with heart and fire and genuine passion and devotion to the cause, I won't deny it.
 

Lufti

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2013
7,994
16,635
Talksport just said we "have a mountain to climb" in the second leg. Bollocks do we. Same team, but with Mason and Kane, we'll rip them to shreds.

And remember - away goals rule applies only AFTER extra time in the wafer. We'll take them way before that, especially given the fitness levels Poch has produced wit his demanding training regime.

You're thinking of the Capital One Cup.
 

MetalFace D

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2014
547
1,229
Townsend had a great game, shame he went off. Need to buy a top CM in the summer to rotate with Mason and Bentaleb. Kane needs to play at 9, doesn't suit him being deeper or sharing space with another striker. Worst game from Eriksen in a while
I think Classie would be perfect if i'm honest with you.
 

camaj

Posting too much
Aug 10, 2004
8,195
883
He did also give away a stupid and petulant foul on the edge of our box which led to their goal....

We should have dealt with that a lot better. Yes he shouldn't have fouled the guy but it's not like he gave a penalty away. He still did far more than Townsend, though.
 

Strikeb4ck

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2010
4,483
9,409
Talksport just said we "have a mountain to climb" in the second leg. Bollocks do we. Same team, but with Mason and Kane, we'll rip them to shreds.

And remember - away goals rule applies only AFTER extra time in the wafer. We'll take them way before that, especially given the fitness levels Poch has produced wit his demanding training regime.
That's the whole problem. Sure, we can put in a big effort Thursday and press hard and fight and maybe get through. They are a good team though and it's no guarantee that we do get through. More importantly, it will mean our players are not fresh for Chelsea in the cup final at the weekend, especially considering they have extra days of rest. It is now almost impossible to advance in Europe and win the cup.
 

yankspurs

Enic Out
Aug 22, 2013
41,883
71,187
Call it as I see it. When yer shit, yer shit; when yer good, yer good.

If you play well for my club and play with heart and fire and genuine passion and devotion to the cause, I won't deny it.
They played well yesterday but the lack of final ball, there game of pass it back and forth and not having a clue of how to create a chance in the box yesterday after stretching Fiorentina and getting into position in the final 3rd was INFURIATING.
 

Jospur

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2011
1,213
2,290
The team seemed to have very little urgency in its play on Thursday. What we need is someone (probably in the middle of the park) who can whip the players into performing when they look like they're having the day or night off. Someone with character who hates to lose. Any suggestions as to who such a player might be?
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
Woefully?

thats a bit harsh

I don't think so. I doubt our right side has had an easier 45 mins than that first half. And with the opportunities they had, Townsend and Walker should have provided more and better quality.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,512
I think this was another game also that highlighted our lack a pacey option up top which frightens opposition defences. They looked very vulnerable at centre back but after reorganising and shutting down our right hand side we barely threatened them. Even if we were struggling to exert control on the game as it went on, an 'out ball' over the top or into the channels for someone to chase would still hopefully have offered some threat, it would have at least hopefully got them on the turn and running back towards their own goal and out of the comfort zone.

Something that needs to be addressed in the summer, definitely.
 

double0

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2006
14,423
12,258
I must admit, I do miss genuine wing play, beating the full back, delivering a perfect cross striker on the end of it or a late run from midfield coming onto it.

Only if our full backs could provide better final balls our system of play is total.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
I must admit, I do miss genuine wing play, beating the full back, delivering a perfect cross striker on the end of it or a late run from midfield coming onto it.

Only if our full backs could provide better final balls our system of play is total.


How often did wingers, let alone the ones we've had over the years, ever actually do this well and consistently ? Wingers are a capricious breed at the very best of times.

I know I am continually repeating myself but this is what full backs should be providing. In Rose and Walker we have two who continually offer the attacking outlet and get into positions and if they were just more composed and mentally together should be providing plenty of this type of service.
 

double0

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2006
14,423
12,258
How often did wingers, let alone the ones we've had over the years, ever actually do this well and consistently ? Wingers are a capricious breed at the very best of times.

I know I am continually repeating myself but this is what full backs should be providing. In Rose and Walker we have two who continually offer the attacking outlet and get into positions and if they were just more composed and mentally together should be providing plenty of this type of service.

It is so frustrating how many times our full backs get into position to deliver a cross, only to see a bad attempt of a cross sailing into row z or hitting the blocker. I sometimes imagine speaking to Walker and ask him why doesn't he use his side foot or in step a technique ie like Sagna Baines, so often it's a drilled cross at pace. Rose has a better technique I think he just needs to take some edge off his delivery.

If our full backs could improve then Pochettinho's idea of football is completely covered.

Oh and get rid of Vertonghen.
 

SlotBadger

({})?
Jul 24, 2013
13,750
43,099
I must admit, I do miss genuine wing play, beating the full back, delivering a perfect cross striker on the end of it or a late run from midfield coming onto it.

Only if our full backs could provide better final balls our system of play is total.
This is so, so true. Last night, Walker & Townsend had the beating of Fiorentina's right side all game and yet they mustered one decent cross between them. Walker kept doing a Cruyff turn and passing back to Andros, who'd inevitably dink a ridiculously floated ball into the 'keeper's arms. Just get it out of your feet and whip it in early; the one time that happened, Soldado flicked on a header and Chadli nearly scored the rebound.
 

double0

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2006
14,423
12,258

Better still, play him at left back, he has the perfect delivery.
I watch Vertonghen (I'm sure you'll disagree) and can't understand what defensive qualities he brings to a CB partnership apart from being left footed...his not a great tackler, he's not that good in the air nor does he posses any great pace or reading of danger. Jan's often out of position and for me worst of all doesn't take responsibility.

I suppose we don't have anything better in our squad at the moment but really hope Pochettinho can improve this having played as a CB.
 

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
Better still, play him at left back, he has the perfect delivery.
I watch Vertonghen (I'm sure you'll disagree) and can't understand what defensive qualities he brings to a CB partnership apart from being left footed...his not a great tackler, he's not that good in the air nor does he posses any great pace or reading of danger. Jan's often out of position and for me worst of all doesn't take responsibility.

I suppose we don't have anything better in our squad at the moment but really hope Pochettinho can improve this having played as a CB.
Wow. I think Vertonghen's been outstanding in the last few months and for me, he's now very close to his 12-13 form. I can understand someone not agreeing that he's been 'outstanding' but to not rate him at all is just bizarre.
 
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