Tottenham Vs Everton: Match Thread

[Mr Pink]

We've played better this season that Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea.

Football is a fucking bitch though when it comes to Spurs.

Was just thinking the same. It really is so fucking cruel sometimes.

That was a really good performance today, but its criminal not to convert at least three gilt edged chances. The reason why we didn't win today was very much our own failings unfortunately.

But a lot to be satisfied and optimistic about. Now, if we can just add another quality forward who can share the burden with Kane we'll be looking good sooner rather than later, particularly when you consider there is Njie, and particularly, Son to come into the reckoning.

I've complained about Dier in midfield, but fuck me was he good today. Good on him, and good on Poch for persevering with him in that position when a lot of people were moaning about it - me included.

No idea why we would need Wanyama if Dier can replicate performances like that. Not to say I'd play him in there in every game, but Everton are a big combative side, with a quite a powerful midfield - good call to play him there today, and he bossed it.

 

[VoteMe4Prez]

And the main thing is that at least we aren't Liverpool

 

[Monkey boy]

Any transfer related mumblings from the great Mauricio?

 

[UpTownSpur]

Maybe it'll all eventually click together. I hope so, as I like enjoying watching Spurs play - but enjoying it is a rarity lately.

I'm far from wanting him out, but I'm going to voice my concerns. The happy-clappers can neg all they like.

I thought we were pretty easy on the eye today - do you long for the days of tedium under AVB, punctuated by the odd wonder goal by Bale? There was good rhythm and tempo about our play today. Early on in the season, performances are more important than results as it gives you a good indication of where the season is headed. I certainly think we'll concede considerably less than last year and score as many if not more, which should see us achieve a good league position.

 

[SPURSLIFE]

When I looked at the line up on the screen before the start i thought where is the creativity. There was nothing exciting about the look of our midfield. It looked safe but where were the chances going to come from? In the end we did create a few but against a better side with a sronger defence we will be found wanting. Dier had a fair game but he's not the answer and is not a midfield player. To me the whole side looked like a make shift line up but in reality it's not as there are no real injuries and that side is our team. Ok we can tweak it with Son and Clinton but we don't know how that will work out hopefully they will make a big difference.

I still worry about Poch's team selection and subs at times and why does Kane our only striker play so deep and out on the wing at times. He should'nt be crossing from the wing but be in the middle for the crosses. I know that Mason gets in the box but he's not a great finisher and today could have had a couple of goals, chances that kane would have taken.

I thought the second half was really entertaining and exciting at times but we are a long way from being the finished article and we have'nt played any great sides yet. I know we played UTD but they were poor that day and we still lost and they seem to have got their act together now.

 

[Jonesywasbestever]

True. I also read that there was fighting between our own fans in Park Lane at the end, had to be broken up by police!

Wow, it's not only on here then!

 

[beats1]

Thought dier was outstanding. Looks a much better central midfield player then Bentaleb.

He did well today in defensive mode but when in attack he looks lost at times

At times Bentaleb is playing the DM role and is coming deep for the ball off the CB's this imo is wrong and Dier should be doing that instead dier is mimicking a CM/3rd CB, sometimes deeper than bentaleb which he shouldn't and sometimes ahead of him without making himself a clear outlet

Dier protects the back 4 well but at the same time he limits a team go forward especially when there aren't that many attacking threats. Today there was only Mason, Kane Chadli as any real attacking threat. Bentaleb was occasionally but atm our midfield feels more setup for protect the back four than going forward

 

[lempod]

Good performance overall. Pity Kane has lost confidence, last season he would have scored the one on one. Defense looked solid but I'd like to see Trippier on the right instead of Walker. Looking forward to seeing Son and Njie play as some pace today would have created some more space for Kane.
Overall happy, we're improving.

 

[yido_number1]

He did well today in defensive mode but when in attack he looks lost at times

At times Bentaleb is playing the DM role and is coming deep for the ball off the CB's this imo is wrong and Dier should be doing that instead dier is mimicking a CM/3rd CB, sometimes deeper than bentaleb which he shouldn't and sometimes ahead of him without making himself a clear outlet

Dier protects the back 4 well but at the same time he limits a team go forward especially when there aren't that many attacking threats. Today there was only Mason, Kane Chadli as any real attacking threat. Bentaleb was occasionally but atm our midfield feels more setup for protect the back four than going forward

This experience is going to make Dier a much better CB. He's improved a lot each game in that position and it would be interesting to see how much he develops. Can't wait to see Son and N'jie get some game time!

 

[lukespurs7]

Just got back from the match. Very solid performance and just about deserved the 3 pts in my opinion. We lacked a bit of creativity, pace and threat but certaintly had some chances and if it wasn't for a shockingly biased ref and some awful shooting on our part and good saves from Howard that would've been a comfortable 2-0.

Shame but hey we move on.
Think the team has much more balance now, looks more solid. Rose was excellent as was Jan, Dier had a good game and Kane did well.

COYS.

 

[Ionman34]

Dier has the techinical ability but he is in a new position where things happen much quicker and the game comes at you from all sides. It will come for him. I just wish people would be as willing to 'give him time' in a similar way to the calls for lamela to be given time. Four games in and he has gotten better in each performance. Progress indeed.

Good shout.

I said during preseason, when Swiss Tony first played Dier at DM, that it made sense, as Dier is strong, quick and has vision too.

Given a little time, and the way he's progressing it may not be that long, I think he will be excellent in the position.

 

[Mr Pink]

He did well today in defensive mode but when in attack he looks lost at times

At times Bentaleb is playing the DM role and is coming deep for the ball off the CB's this imo is wrong and Dier should be doing that instead dier is mimicking a CM/3rd CB, sometimes deeper than bentaleb which he shouldn't and sometimes ahead of him without making himself a clear outlet

Dier protects the back 4 well but at the same time he limits a team go forward especially when there aren't that many attacking threats. Today there was only Mason, Kane Chadli as any real attacking threat. Bentaleb was occasionally but atm our midfield feels more setup for protect the back four than going forward

I agree that we can lose some attacking impetus/fluidity when he plays, so I wouldn't go for him all the time,,,but Everton have a powerful midfield and his tackling and power to hold and shield the ball contributed to us dominating for long spells.

The balance was fine today IMO, we created enough clear cut chances to win two games let alone one.

 

[WiganSpur]

Was just thinking the same. It really is so fucking cruel sometimes.

That was a really good performance today, but its criminal not to convert at least three gilt edged chances. The reason why we didn't win today was very much our own failings unfortunately.

But a lot to be satisfied and optimistic about. Now, if we can just add another quality forward who can share the burden with Kane we'll be looking good sooner rather than later, particularly when you consider there is Njie, and particularly, Son to come into the reckoning.

I've complained about Dier in midfield, but fuck me was he good today. Good on him, and good on Poch for persevering with him in that position when a lot of people were moaning about it - me included.

No idea why we would need Wanyama if Dier can replicate performances like that. Not to say I'd play him in there in every game, but Everton are a big combative side, with a quite a powerful midfield - good call to play him there today, and he bossed it.

Agree that Dier should mean no Wanyama but we still need a CM, a good all rounder not dissimilar to Mason and Bentaleb

 

[holsten777]

I agree that we can lose some attacking impetus/fluidity when he plays, so I wouldn't go for him all the time,,,but Everton have a powerful midfield and his tackling and power to hold and shield the ball contributed to us dominating for long spells.

The balance was fine today IMO, we created enough clear cut chances to win two games let alone one.

Think we need somebody like him in there every game to shield the back four, the other CM should be switched up to alter the balance depending on opposistion

 

[Mr Pink]

Think we need somebody like him in there every game to shield the back four, the other CM should be switched up to alter the balance depending on opposistion

Personally, I'd like two all rounders in there when teams come to sit deep and show very little ambition, not so much need for Dier as the DM then - when the onus is far more on us.

Everton are not in that bracket, they offer a big threat on the counter and are a powerful unit. It was a good selection today, and appropriate when you consider the opposition's strengths.

 

[holsten777]

Personally, I'd like two all rounders in there when teams come to sit deep and show very little ambition, not so much need for Dier as the DM then - when the onus is far more on us.

Everton are not in that bracket, offer a big threat on the counter and are a powerful unit. It was a good selection today, and appropriate when you consider the opposition's strengths.

Fair, i just worry about the sucker punch counter with those types, IMO Dier/DM would mop that up.

 

[beats1]

I agree that we can lose some attacking impetus/fluidity when he plays, so I wouldn't go for him all the time,,,but Everton have a powerful midfield and his tackling and power to hold and shield the ball contributed to us dominating for long spells.

The balance was fine today IMO, we created enough clear cut chances to win two games let alone one.

I think that his inclusion would be better had there actually been a winger or even an wide player on the right

Also today was probably the first time we went 433 until Alli came on(who was a lot closer to Kane)

Agree that Dier should mean no Wanyama but we still need a CM, a good all rounder not dissimilar to Mason and Bentaleb

I don't think an allrounder is needed. Dier has done well today but a top class DM who is a bit better going forward could make a huge difference

Dier is a WIP as a DM whereas someone like a Bender, Kramer and Wanyama is more likely to do a job now. TBF some of those names sound unattainable but I think a lot of us felt the same about Son

I hope we don't make a stambouli, Dempsey style signing. If anything this shows that Vejlkovic could do a great job imo as a back up, similar to dier as a DM(doesn't run around a lot but in the right places) however with much better passing

 

[AAspur]

If we want to play young players, play some of our own, from the youth teams, we have to be patient with it. That means results like today. We need someone to take load of Kane or with him. And I'd rather see someone creative on the middle than a Wanyama type

Just got back from the game and have to agree with this.. We desperately need a playmaker in the middle of the park, there were countless occasions when Rose was free on the left and it just needed one of our midfielders to switch the play with a long diagonal pass but more often than not they went for the easy sideways or backwards ball.

 

[Krafty]

We created some good opportunities, and some very good openings. Defensively we looked pretty solid.

On the flip side, our finishing looked pretty blunt, and Everton were there for the taking.

Thought Dier was very good, Mason did pretty well although still looked a little lightweight, and Chadli and Dembele were a little slow to take goalscoring positions. They played quite well, but the danger with a one striker system is you need people joining, replacing and going beyond that striker. With that "2" in central midfield, you can end up with the 3 more advanced midfielders only thinking they need to create as the deeper 2 sit too far back and don't take responsibility for stimulating the play a la Modric, Carrick, Xavi, and numerous others.

N'Jie and, in particular, Son could be great additions in this regard if, IF we don't ruin them and expect them to both take on the whole responsibility for creating our chances, and hence stopping them get into the box and score.

 

[keithtighe93]

much improved today thank god

liked the way Mason runs beyond Kane, we need more of this as it creates space and chances!

thought himself & Dier had good games