Match Threads Spurs vs Palace

[jolsnogross]

That was another dull first 45 mins. Barely a shot taken, let alone on target. Werner 1v1 could've opened things up if he scored, but you'd never bet on him for those. Be interesting to see how he goes in the next couple of games. I'm on the fence about signing him.

Turned out OK in the end, with Johnson the catalyst. But these guys really need to get out of this pointless possession mindset they're in.

 

[ajspurs]

I can't say I'm greatly encouraged by the performance, but there were little moments where I was thinking that this is the Tottenham I remember seeing earlier in the season. It was when Palace actually had some of the ball or had to come at us even just a bit when they didn't. Watching it made me think that the good side of us hasn't all of a sudden gone, but teams are setting up differently to face us. Even that little bit of swagger in our passing, when Sarr came on and had a little exchange of passes with Bissouma and it was all just one touch stuff, but it's what we saw so much earlier in the season. Confidence with the slightest touch of arrogance in everything we were doing, because we were just doing it so well.

Maybe I'm giving us too much credit and that we need to apply ourselves better too, it's so hard to determine how much of it us and how much is the opposition, but I do think it's a puzzle we need to try and really figure out, when teams just sit back.

Once we do though, I think we can go back to being really excited again. The wide men did well in the end today, but I think it's so important to add quality a level up from what we have there for next season.

 

[Reece_Spurs]

There was a great 5 or so minutes in the first half around the 33rd minutes where the whole team stepped it up a gear, passing was quicker, 1 or 2 touches, snappier, more movement, and we actually started opening them up.

Unfortunately it only lasted 5 minutes, but we need way more of that sort of confident football, it makes such a big difference especially when the opponent have 11 behind the ball.

 

[Styopa]

I think we need a player like Ginola or van der Vaart. A creative spark. We have Maddison but not really many other players who create. Especially in the forward positions. We have runners and pressers and hard workers but not much creativity or skill or guile.

 

[FloridaSpur]

We were poor playing against a team that until today had lost twelve games this season.

Two shots in the first half tells the story, and owning possession is no badge of honour.

I can't see that Ange will be happy with today, but he needs to figure a way around teams that will sit deep, and who plan to hit us on the break.

Kudos to Johnson again who I think needs to start a game ahead of Kulu, Mickey as usual superb in defence and Romero has now scored more goals this season than any other PL Centre Back!

COYS!

 

[Styopa]

We were poor playing against a team that until today had lost twelve games this season.

Twelve losses sounds a lot, but sixth place Man U have lost ten times this season, and there’s a good chance it will be eleven losses tomorrow after they play Man C.

 

[muppetman]

On the train going home and still in awe of Micky. Guy is amazing.

 

[mil1lion]

I think we need a player like Ginola or van der Vaart. A creative spark. We have Maddison but not really many other players who create. Especially in the forward positions. We have runners and pressers and hard workers but not much creativity or skill or guile.

Werner has the pace but isn't a dribbler and Kulusevski is a dribbler but doesn't have the pace. The closest we have is Soloman. We need someone to carry the ball and pull players around a bit. I always liked Moura for that, just brings a bit of chaos against tight defences.

 

[Rob]

Werner has the pace but isn't a dribbler and Kulusevski is a dribbler but doesn't have the pace. The closest we have is Soloman. We need someone to carry the ball and pull players around a bit. I always liked Moura for that, just brings a bit of chaos against tight defences.

Werner doesn’t need to dribble it. We need to play the through ball for him to run onto. It’s so obvious and no one will play it. The one time we did today, he ended up through on goal (and fluffed it).

 

[mattstev2000]

Not a great performance against a team like palace. Glad we won but it didn't do much to settle my nerves about our current form.

Delighted to see Werner and Son score though, two players that just genuinely seem like decent guys.

 

[ajspurs]

Werner doesn’t need to dribble it. We need to play the through ball for him to run onto. It’s so obvious and no one will play it. The one time we did today, he ended up through on goal (and fluffed it).

Was Udogie guilty of this much today? I know he was at least once and normally is frustratingly hesitant to play the early ball to release Werner. Will rather hold on to it for longer, have Werner have to stop his run and track back, to then play it to his feet. Hard to always tell if the ball is on from the TV though.

 

[Reece_Spurs]

I think we need a player like Ginola or van der Vaart. A creative spark. We have Maddison but not really many other players who create. Especially in the forward positions. We have runners and pressers and hard workers but not much creativity or skill or guile.

I'd like us to try Biss, Lo Celso and Maddison in midfield against teams we know will put 11 behind the ball with a forward line of Werner, Son, Johnson.

Lots of pace in behind and 2 creative midfielders to actually try and play the ball in behind.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I take your point, but what most sensible people object to is the overreacting. The criticism is fine. It’s the reacting like we’re five years into this, rather than nine months, which is tiresome. It’s all the Ange has been found out, we’ll never win anything unless we change, we’re so bad, we’re so naive, kind of comments which people are bored of. Especially since the same people who make those kind of comments are the kind of people falling over themselves to point out how great Arsenal are. We need context and balance. Something I feel is in short supply sadly.

Fair

 

[nedley]

Tbf I think Hojbjerg did more in 15 mins that Bissouma did all game

He was much improved in the second half. That much was obvious.

Granted not a high bar.

 

[Chimbo!]

On the train going home and still in awe of Micky. Guy is amazing.

He was imperious today.

 

[Rob]

Was Udogie guilty of this much today? I know he was at least once and normally is frustratingly hesitant to play the early ball to release Werner. Will rather hold on to it for longer, have Werner have to stop his run and track back, to then play it to his feet. Hard to always tell if the ball is on from the TV though.

Yup, don't think he made any attempt at it today

 

[ajspurs]

Yup, don't think he made any attempt at it today

Frustrating. It's match after match now which makes it all the more annoying to see. Makes me wonder if Porro would see his runs and play him in more on the other side.

 

[nedley]

We were poor playing against a team that until today had lost twelve games this season.

Two shots in the first half tells the story, and owning possession is no badge of honour.

I can't see that Ange will be happy with today, but he needs to figure a way around teams that will sit deep, and who plan to hit us on the break.

Kudos to Johnson again who I think needs to start a game ahead of Kulu, Mickey as usual superb in defence and Romero has now scored more goals this season than any other PL Centre Back!

COYS!

He does.

But the 11 that start all have to put in decent performances.

Not just a couple.

Because they are not gonna be able to execute the plan as a team if 2/3 are 7s or 8s whilst the rest are 5s.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Gutted Porro is out, Emerson in that inverted FB role is a huge step down unfortunately.

Richy out isn’t the end of the world as it means Sonny up top.

Should be a tricky game as they have new manager bounce but I fancy us to get at their 3-4-3, we need to start fast get an early goal and dominate them.

I’m going for 3-1 Spurs

Fish knows

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Nice dominant performance today and good response after going 1-0 down.