Match Threads Spurs vs Antwerp - Match Thread - Europa Cup Rd 6

[spurs mental]

I'd like to see Bale be subbed on more in the league. It is hard to see what he can do in Europa league with the talent around him. He has always stepped up in big games, put him on for 20 minutes in some league games with our main XI and see what happens.

Think he'll start on Sunday, personally.

 

[Tucker]

We haven’t really got going yet. Moura and Lo Celso have looked good, everyone else seems slightly off the pace. We haven’t been shite, but we haven’t been great either.

Typical disjointed Europa league performance.

 

[ajspurs]

Was just saying the same to my cousin. He's done ok so far imo.

Couple of goals, looked good against West Brom.

Not easy coming in and out of the side playing in patched up teams..

I think so as well. Exactly, he's played in a disjointed team almost every time he's played and he's still managed to bag multiple goals and assists. Strange criticism of him to be honest.

 

[rossdapep]

Wet panty time again, I see.

They're not playing as bad as some make out but players are not going to be right up for a game that doesn't have massive rewards. Sure, some need to prove their worth but Gareth Bale, for example, this is a player who thrives on the biggest stage of all -PL & CL are his true standing, therefore he's clearly pacing himself and not trying to bust himself with another injury.

Regarding personnel. We have Palace and Liverpool within the space of 4 days. I'd much rather certain players are not used therefore the 5 at the back.

I imagine Jose has looked at a central pairing of Tanganga & Sanchez and a midfield pairing of Winks & Lo Celso and thought that it isn't protected enough. Antwerp are pressing high and looking to get into the channels.

If Jose had have gone with those four centrally we would be seeing a repeat of the LASK game defensively.

 

[dvdhopeful]

Tanganga for Tanguy, four at the back, play Tanguy behind Vinicius.

 

[TheTanguy]

Jenas talking about Vinicius as if he has been a Vincent Janssen 2.0 so far.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Bale looks done at this level, and I don’t think it’s premature to say that.

Bale is done?

Anyone else got the impression Winks is trying his level best to imitate Hojbjerg’s style of play?

Bit weird. He’s just a very crap footballer.

Well, he's gotta have to try something different or better or anything he can excel at.

 

[spursfan77]

I know he's not played much but Bale - it's not been massively impressive so far has it? Just get the overwhelming feeling he needs to get out of 2nd gear. . . if he can.

I don’t think how we play suits him. Saying that he’s playing tonight pretty much at the same level he was playing for Wales in the last international break. The game passes him by most of the time but he’s quality on the ball and will make something happen. Is that enough though, I’m not sure?

 

[spurs mental]

He’s been our best player.

Zero build up from front to back though throughout the game. A bit shit.

Down to Winks inability to take the ball from the defence, pass the ball well, or do anything basic really well. Sissoko would improve us second half

 

[slartibartfast]

should play this line up vs Liverpool next Wednesday

As long as Liverpool play same line up as they did against midgetland or qhatever the fk they were called.

 

[Duck]

Bale and Hart have been great for team morale but they're both over the hill.

Jesus christ, he's a backup goalkeeper.
Why are people so determined to scrutinize Joe Hart of all people? What do you even expect?

 

[rossdapep]

I think so as well. Exactly, he's played in a disjointed team almost every time he's played and he's still managed to bag multiple goals and assists. Strange criticism of him to be honest.

It's just people nit-picking for the sake of it as always.

 

[midoshairband]

I know he's not played much but Bale - it's not been massively impressive so far has it? Just get the overwhelming feeling he needs to get out of 2nd gear. . . if he can.

underwhelming to say the least so far.

 

[spurs mental]

Anyone else got the impression Winks is trying his level best to imitate Hojbjerg’s style of play?

Bit weird. He’s just a very crap footballer.

My dad just said the same thing to me about Winks. He's nowhere near anyway but his reading of the game is absolutely horrendous

 

[davidmatzdorf]

The player who fouled Reguilon at the end should have been sent off. He already had a yellow and that was 100% a yellow-card barge.

That said, I think we need to accept that Antwerp aren't leading this group by chance. They have an excellent midfield and a good defence, with a slight flaky 'keeper behind them and a lack of a really good striker up front. In the away match, we were just dreadful, especially in the first half. This time, we've been OK-ish, but Antwerp have comfortably matched us.

For the first 20+ minutes, it was same as last time: we couldn't keep the ball in midfield. But we've started to get a better grip in the latter parts of the half, without really taking the match to the opposition.

Lucas has been excellent, the key link through which everything is going. Lo Celso is full of running, but nothing has quite come off yet. Winks has been holding the fort since we got a foothold in the match, but he was lost for the first 20 minutes. Hart hasn't been tested and he's fine when he doesn't need to be 10 years younger. All three central defenders look comfortable. Vinicius has his timing off again - it's an issue with him. Bale has been largely unexceptional, sometimes invisible. Doherty, despite playing as a wing-back, looks just as uninspired as usual. I'm just starting to think he isn't actually all that good...?

One of the problems is that we have no creativity and energy coming up our right flank, because Doherty and Bale are half-asleep.

 

[chinaman]

Davies was poor, almost gave away 2 goals.

 

[dondo]

Youre right - i mentioned that as well just before you posted. I would ask the question why we are playing with 3 CBs? Like really?

Someone said in this thread earlier that their RW is their main threat, so doubling up with SR and BD kind of makes sense in Jose world I suppose

 

[ikky]

Bale is done?

Well, he's gotta have to try something different or better or anything he can excel at.

Yup I believe he is, no one can deny he’s been a disappointment. I’d love for him to prove me wrong but I can’t see it.

 

[spursfan77]

Down to Winks inability to take the ball from the defence, pass the ball well, or do anything basic really well. Sissoko would improve us second half

yet Sissoko doesn’t do any of those things!

 

[wirE]

Gio needs to learn how to not be so aggressive in areas that do not matter. Seems like he picks up a lot of little fouls that are not needed and then they eventually lead to a yellow.

Erik Lamela mk. 2