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Match Ratings Ratings vs Chelsea

MOTM

  • Gazzaniga

    Votes: 89 35.0%
  • Trippier

    Votes: 8 3.1%
  • Sanchez

    Votes: 9 3.5%
  • Toby

    Votes: 36 14.2%
  • Rose

    Votes: 51 20.1%
  • Sissoko

    Votes: 21 8.3%
  • Winks

    Votes: 3 1.2%
  • Eriksen

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Son

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Deli

    Votes: 10 3.9%
  • Kane

    Votes: 19 7.5%
  • Lamela

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Kane

    Votes: 5 2.0%
  • Llorente

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Undecided

    Votes: 3 1.2%

  • Total voters
    254

glospur

Well-Known Member
May 19, 2015
2,608
9,806
Sometimes i genuinely think that some people forget that there are two teams out there. Chelsea were excellent tactically, pressing us really well and using width to get around our midfield diamond, pulling us from side to side. I don’t think it’s that we played badly, they were just really good while a combination of their toothlessness and some good defending stifled them in the front third. tbh they really didn’t create any really dangerous opportunities of note (until my stream stopped at 89 minutes, that is).
I see the usual suspects digging out Winns, but he was hardly alone in giving up control. Eriksen was dreadful and Sissoko offered absolutely nothing on the ball. All of them put in a determined, gritty, necessary shift defensively, however.

As for the ratings, 6 for the midfield and forwards, 8 for the back 4 and keeper. Simple.
 

adamsky

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2006
1,683
4,455
Really not getting the Rose mom votes. I thought he was poor in first half, kept giving the ball away. Improved markedly in second half and battled very well but never a mom performance.
 
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Primativ

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2017
3,229
12,486
Sometimes i genuinely think that some people forget that there are two teams out there. Chelsea were excellent tactically, pressing us really well and using width to get around our midfield diamond, pulling us from side to side. I don’t think it’s that we played badly, they were just really good while a combination of their toothlessness and some good defending stifled them in the front third. tbh they really didn’t create any really dangerous opportunities of note (until my stream stopped at 89 minutes, that is).
I see the usual suspects digging out Winns, but he was hardly alone in giving up control. Eriksen was dreadful and Sissoko offered absolutely nothing on the ball. All of them put in a determined, gritty, necessary shift defensively, however.

As for the ratings, 6 for the midfield and forwards, 8 for the back 4 and keeper. Simple.

Hold on, I thought it wasn't Sissoko's role in the team to be good on the ball? If Winks escapes criticism for keeping it simple, because apparently that's his job, why does Sissoko get stick for not doing something which he isn't in the team to do? At least Sissoko tried to make something happen with runs forward and actually got stuck in defensively. Winks was chasing shadows in the middle of the park.

The difference with players like Son, Alli and Eriksen having off days like tonight, is that we know they are top class players and so you can forgive the poor performance when it happens. Son, Alli and Eriksen are regular match winners.


Winks though, he never seems to excel on anything like a consistent basis. In fact, he's bang average. Considering he's supposed to be a amazing on the ball, he never shows it. That first half moment when Winks had the ball 30 yards from goal and we had a fantastic chance to score and he did a pathetic little chip straight to Keppa just summed him up. In fact I don't think I am alone, as I heard audible groans from the crowd a few times when Winks lost possession etc Winks has actually made me pine for Dier back in CM, as Winks somehow manages to be even less adventurous on the ball than Dier is, yet way way worse off the ball and defensively. He goes missing when we are under pressure.

The more I see it the more I am absolutely convinced of the urgent need to upgrade Winks's position. By far our weakest link, by a huge distance.
 

@Bobby__Lucky

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
2,933
3,982
It was probably a defensive masterclass, and Mourinho would have loved that performance.
If you want to win things then defensive discipline is probably top of the list.

It's just I'm not very good at recognising that other than the zero conceded. We did not make mistakes under constant pressure, kept cool and kept the right shape. I saw that.
And I didn't see them find space in the box and slot 1 away. But I couldn't tell you if that was entirely down to us or Chelsea not having a goal scorer.

I think was more us. The midfield 3 of the diamond back eriksen winks Sissoko played very deep and we invited the pressure by doing so. However I saw shades of cloughie tonight. Defend in numbers and attack in numbers. Its not pretty but in a pressure game we came out on top intentionally and on purpose. They had very few real opportunities and hopefully in the second leg, which they have to score and we don't we will be able to play counter pick them off and if we score first I can see a big win.
 

ClintEastwould

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2012
4,748
9,845
I’m gonna have to say Gazzanigga despite his very good saves throughout the game was one of the main culprits in us being under pressure for the majority of the game. Almost every long kick went straight to Chelsea. That being said, both he and Toby were the ones being tasked with the out ball out of the back.
 

rabbikeane

Well-Known Member
Mar 29, 2005
6,884
12,675
I’m gonna have to say Gazzanigga despite his very good saves throughout the game was one of the main culprits in us being under pressure for the majority of the game. Almost every long kick went straight to Chelsea. That being said, both he and Toby were the ones being tasked with the out ball out of the back.

That's also credit to Chelsea for cutting off our pass pathways, Eriksen had to often drop deep to create another from goal kicks etc.
Alderweireld having to play on the left is also an issue that makes it more difficult.
 

ohtottenham!

Well-Known Member
Aug 15, 2013
7,497
13,029
Just looked like we were running on fumes for a lot of that game. Credit to Poch for extracting every bit of juice he can from that Sissoko/Winks CM pairing. It looked thinner than a Ralph Coates combover yesterday. Dele and Eriksen are tasked to do a lot defensively as a consequence, especially against a good attacking outfit like Chelsea.

Poch's had to work miracles with Dier, Dembele and Wanyama being out for so long; plus having to manage Lamela's gametime due to injury. Good to know Verts, Dier and Dembele (maybe), and Erik, who got a brief showing, will be good to go soon.

We got the win despite being threadbare in central midfield, and having Toby as a left CB. Thought we did well considering; thought Gazza, Rose, Toby, Davinson, Dele and Kane all did well. We ground out a result that gives us a narrow advantage in the return.
 

yusrisafri

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2004
6,369
7,548
Hold on, I thought it wasn't Sissoko's role in the team to be good on the ball? If Winks escapes criticism for keeping it simple, because apparently that's his job, why does Sissoko get stick for not doing something which he isn't in the team to do? At least Sissoko tried to make something happen with runs forward and actually got stuck in defensively. Winks was chasing shadows in the middle of the park.

The difference with players like Son, Alli and Eriksen having off days like tonight, is that we know they are top class players and so you can forgive the poor performance when it happens. Son, Alli and Eriksen are regular match winners.


Winks though, he never seems to excel on anything like a consistent basis. In fact, he's bang average. Considering he's supposed to be a amazing on the ball, he never shows it. That first half moment when Winks had the ball 30 yards from goal and we had a fantastic chance to score and he did a pathetic little chip straight to Keppa just summed him up. In fact I don't think I am alone, as I heard audible groans from the crowd a few times when Winks lost possession etc Winks has actually made me pine for Dier back in CM, as Winks somehow manages to be even less adventurous on the ball than Dier is, yet way way worse off the ball and defensively. He goes missing when we are under pressure.

The more I see it the more I am absolutely convinced of the urgent need to upgrade Winks's position. By far our weakest link, by a huge distance.
Good points but I beg to differ. Winks is a tidy player who can keepthe ball under pressure then play the simple pass forwards, sideways or backwards. Granted, We cant rely on him to be the sole defensive midfielder, nor the sole attacking midfielder, but what he does well is to always make himself available for the ball from defence, AND keep the game ticking at a moderately fast pace with the way he zips the ball with his passing, something which Toby and Sanchez are very very guilty of, with the way they look so cumbersome when in possession, preferring to pause, look up then decide to pass back to the keeper instead of playing a quick pass forward to Winks who is always ready to receive, and receive comfortably. That is Winksy's strength and is very much under-utilised and under-appreciated. He is so much more comfortable than Dier when receiving the ball and faster than Dier in making incisive and zipping passes. Thats my opinion.
 

allpaths

Well-Known Member
Oct 31, 2014
3,174
8,381
Big credit to Trippier who I've been very critical of especially defensively. But he was assured today, and defended his back post extremely well.
 

allpaths

Well-Known Member
Oct 31, 2014
3,174
8,381
People are dead wrong about Winks' performance today. I felt he was the only one to provide any form of consistent control over the football. Eriksen, Alli and to an extent Sissoko were all dreadful on the ball, with Son not finding the little pockets of space that he usually does.

Also thought Winks defensively was outstanding closing down Hazards' angles, got an important block on Barkley, and got stuck in well, despite playing with one hand behind his back with that early yellow.
 

SpursAddict

winners never quit and quitters never win
Mar 27, 2012
1,033
1,593
Gazzaniga 9 - MOTM
Trippier 6
Sanchez 6
Toby 7
Rose 8
Sissoko 7
Winks 6
Eriksen 5
Son 6
Alli 7
Kane 7
 

Spurrific

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2011
13,501
57,356
Obviously they dominated and should've really got something from the play, but fuck me the officiating didn't help. Every single time we won the ball off them, the ref blew for a free kick - stifling our play and giving them possession back.

The time Alonso fell over leaving Lamela one-vs-one with Kepa and he blew up made me so mad I sighed.

If we win/draw the second leg, Gazzaniga better play in the final.
 

walton

Well-Known Member
Feb 28, 2006
3,162
4,963
The dicking around at the back drove me nuts; at no point was i really comfrotable with any of that.

Rose MOM.

Pains me to say it, and it's certainly been said before, but Hazard is a phenomenal footballer. Head and shoulders the best player out there last night.
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
Really not getting the Rose mom votes. I thought he was poor in first half, kept giving the ball away. Improved markedly in second half and battled very well but never a mom performance.

Agree on Rose especially when Hudson-odoi totally dominated him the 1st half. Imo he wasn’t getting close enough to him but that may have been a fear of getting embarrassed. But he certainly didn’t nullify their biggest outlet.
 

nuttynoah

Arbiter elegantiae
Jul 21, 2004
8,175
7,432
Rose got MOM from most pundits. Why do you think he did badly?
His continually gave the ball away, more so in the second half. Davies has a cooler head in these type of games for me, Rose's aggression is no substitute ofr poor passing
 

Nebby

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2013
3,363
6,377
I'm giving my vote to Winks. I thought he was excellent; rarely gives the ball away, can receive it on his left or right, and keeps the ball moving. Another season and he's going to be epic.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,331
Sometimes i genuinely think that some people forget that there are two teams out there. Chelsea were excellent tactically, pressing us really well and using width to get around our midfield diamond, pulling us from side to side. I don’t think it’s that we played badly, they were just really good while a combination of their toothlessness and some good defending stifled them in the front third. tbh they really didn’t create any really dangerous opportunities of note (until my stream stopped at 89 minutes, that is).
I see the usual suspects digging out Winns, but he was hardly alone in giving up control. Eriksen was dreadful and Sissoko offered absolutely nothing on the ball. All of them put in a determined, gritty, necessary shift defensively, however.

As for the ratings, 6 for the midfield and forwards, 8 for the back 4 and keeper. Simple.

Agree with most of this, but I think Sissoko offered more on the ball than Winks or Eriksen last night. These two in particular were subdued I felt.

Sissoko drove forward a few times to great affect in the second half and was also heavily involved with that lovely interchange of passing resulting in Kane's stinging drive that was well saved.

To say he offered nothing on the ball is simply incorrect.
 

@Bobby__Lucky

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
2,933
3,982
Sometimes i genuinely think that some people forget that there are two teams out there. Chelsea were excellent tactically, pressing us really well and using width to get around our midfield diamond, pulling us from side to side. I don’t think it’s that we played badly, they were just really good while a combination of their toothlessness and some good defending stifled them in the front third. tbh they really didn’t create any really dangerous opportunities of note (until my stream stopped at 89 minutes, that is).
I see the usual suspects digging out Winns, but he was hardly alone in giving up control. Eriksen was dreadful and Sissoko offered absolutely nothing on the ball. All of them put in a determined, gritty, necessary shift defensively, however.

As for the ratings, 6 for the midfield and forwards, 8 for the back 4 and keeper. Simple.

Well observed, I agree they used the width well, but was good to see poch go 442 to try and stifle this.
 

brendanb50

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2005
4,483
3,890
Obviously they dominated and should've really got something from the play, but fuck me the officiating didn't help. Every single time we won the ball off them, the ref blew for a free kick - stifling our play and giving them possession back.

The time Alonso fell over leaving Lamela one-vs-one with Kepa and he blew up made me so mad I sighed.

If we win/draw the second leg, Gazzaniga better play in the final.

Haven't seen it again but at the time that incident looked farcical, what Lamela did wrong there (more so than Alonso) is very questionable.

EDIT - perhaps it's Lamela's world class shithousery which works against him in these instances. Either way a poor call for me.
 
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brendanb50

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2005
4,483
3,890
Game of two halves for me. First half we were dominant (probably didn't create enough). Second half they were, with even more possession than us in the first. Big difference for them was a lack of a goal threat. Hazard on his day can/will bring that but they lack someone (or 2/3) in the box who will finish.

Standouts for me were:

Gazzaniga - Made some important stops, the one from Hudson-Odoi's cross was excellent. Only one parry of note which was a bit questionable, but an excellent game.

The back 4 - Was going to single out Toby and Rose but they all did their job last night. Our possession retention made a hard 45mins for these players and they battled right to the whistle

Kane - So good when he gets the ball up to him or over the top. Becoming difficult to get the ball off of him unless 2/3 swarm him. His decision making is often excellent as well.

The midfield for me (i'll unfairly include Alli in this, although he's often further forward than Kane), did well in spells. All of them brought something to the mix at times but our play in possession could have cost us as the game went on in the second half. Sometimes the momentum of the game makes it difficult and i felt we were slow to react to the raised tempo set by Chelsea in the 2nd half. Would have liked a sub on a little quicker to try and freshen some legs up and maybe change the shape a bit but hey, we got the result, so why am i moaning?
 
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