Tottenham Vs FC Schalke 04: Match Report

[Geez]

A goal in each half from strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado ensured our pre-season campaign ended in victory as we defeated FC Schalke 2-1

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[rupsmith]

It was a good performance. The pressing, the pace, the movement - all cohesive and a distinct improvement from last year. Poch does clearly need some players to fit his system though.

Another top centre back. I really like Daws and I'm sure he is saying he wants to fight for his place. I personally would keep him saying that he is on the bench to start with. He gives you a decent consistent 6/10 performance. But him apart we need a Rio Ferdinand type CB. From all accounts MM is like that. Dier has the makings of a very good defender but is still very young. Naughton works but is not the fastest and his touch is not great - with the result that speed of the attack slows when the ball is on the right flank.

The central midfield retainer/distributor. MS looks very good. Positionally strong, quick and accurate short distribution and rotation. Benteleb looks very very good indeed. Well done Tim Sherwood for developing him so much. Holtby is versatile and can play - a good squad player. Sandro unfortunately is simply not good enough. When he came on, we conceded a lot of control. Fans like him because of his personality and flying tackles but his positioning and distribution are poor. I'm curious to see where Dembele, Capoue and Paulinho fit in.

The forward players. I think we have a good line up. Ade Eriksen Lamela starting. Townsend Lennon soldado Kane the options. Soldado still looks a little short of confidence but somehow I have this feeling - and I hope I'm right - that once he scores a few and gets on a roll there is very little people can do to stop him. ceballos also looks pretty good. Kane will be a good striker as well.

The philosophy was clear and that was good to see.

 

[spursintheblood]

Having seen the game on TV there are a few things that stood out.
1. Holtby is passion personified, but will have to be careful in the actual league. Two footed tackle should have been a sending off.

2. Soldado did not have the best of halves. Part of me wants him to succeed, part of me wants to move him on to make room for Bony. His touch was poor, although the pitch may have been dry (?) he did get onto positions, but was lucky with the goal.

3. Don't sell Townsend. He has come back in the right frame of mind and is attack minded. He was quick and with a bit more luck would have scored. I liked the commentary from the ITV crew about his intensive training when out on commentary duty for the WC. His determination to be the next big thing as long he works for the team is a good sign.

4. The high pressing game seemed to work and they barely had a sniff. We should not have switched off for their goal and I bet that will be a point for training.

5. Poch is a good presence on the touchline. Like the suit, like the attitude.

6. And finally... Dier. Wow. That was a good debut. Really impressed. Only one misplaced pass, but otherwise ever present. Composed and quick.

 

[tottenham28]

Surely Holtby is a starter against the scum next week, he has been outstanding throughout pre season and was again today too.
High energy, an eye for a pass, physical and precise too (although he was lucky not to go clean through a man two footed, which would have been a deserved red)

Dier showed a master class in defending, outstanding throughout. Blocks, composure, good passing range and awareness all game long.

Lamela, I expected more from him. He has been shouting promise but today hardly showed a glimpse, still a long way to go I feel.

Many on here abuse Naughton, I know he does not have the pace of Walker and the attack like mind but he really is becoming an accomplished full back in terms of defending.

Soldado is a hard one to figure, he clearly has ability and a superb eye for a pass but the man is still lacking in confidence, possibly from last seasons rough go at it.
If he was firing on all cylinders, I'd give him the nod in front of Adebayor every day of the week.

Davies was average for his 45 but I'll put that down to first game nerves, I have to simply because Rose still scares the shit out of me...

The whole side seems to be adapting to the managers requirements already, the pressing, effort and desire was there for all to see, we look to be headed in more than the right direction in terms of effort and attack mindedness but I'm still worried that the defence are lacking leadership and real belief (only 1 clean sheet in pre season only adds to that fear) on the flip side, we look like we could score a few though...

 

[stuffies]

Watched the game on the TV and was impressed ....specially first 45mins.

Best pre season game Rose has had ....he attacked well,made some VERY good tackles using his upper body strength.....and better still once he made the tackle and released the ball ....he carried on incase of a return or to at least give that option.
Hoping with Davis coming in and the new contract, have given him the kick up the ass and also the confidence - faith Poch/DL have shown him to pressed on and improve his game.
( Of course this was some one game and he needs to carry on at that level and above ).

Dier for me was awesome.....in the right place at the right time....passed well.....read the game well.....covered his team mates several times well.
For a player that young,and thrown into a new team .......WOW.
Play like that and he'll earn a spot in the starting 11.......so surprised how he just handle the whole thing.

The team as a whole did well ...pressing and still keeping a shape ....also the role swapping of the 3 behind Ade in first half was good ....makes it harder for the other team to pick players up.
Defended well ,very well ......which is a massive thing after last season.
2nd half we kinda dropped of the paces a little ,with changes,and some looking alittle tired but still not bad for pre season.

Harry Kane did my head in a few times ....falling over looking for fouls,he seemed a little lost ?

Could comment on all the players but would take ages lol ....but from what I have see so far this pre season we have been doing well.
Only major downside is the WC players have not had time to gel into this new way of playing .....could have done with another 2-3 weeks and a couple of more friendlies before the season kicks off.
Oh well .........bring on the Spammers!!

COYS

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

Put Schneiderlin in for Lennon and the team is almost complete. Today's game and in particular the way that Poch has set the system up is just crying out for this guy.

Excellent first halve, but again chances were far and few between. That said Holtby and Dier were the standout players and Rose played well. I do have a nagging doubt about Kane who i know is still young, but i do really think we need another striking option. Early season yet but very, very promising indeed.

 

[Sarsipius]

Sorry to be the one to ask but does anyone know of any sites that might have the full game?

A PM would be great if we're not allowed to post such things...

 

[Matthew Wyatt]

Sorry to be the one to ask but does anyone know of any sites that might have the full game?

A PM would be great if we're not allowed to post such things...

Yes please, someone PM me with the game too. Thanks.

 

[strader]

Yes please, someone PM me with the game too. Thanks.

in the UK, it is on itv catch up

 

[Matthew Wyatt]

in the UK, it is on itv catch up

Thanks, but I'm in Australia.

 

[bandido]

I went to the game (impressed by Naughton's improvement and hitherto unseen attacking prowess - was this the man who used to get a nosebleed past the halfway line?) but saw this link later ...

http://forum.rojadirecta.es/showthread.php?224238-Friendly-Tottenham-v-Schalke-09-08-2014

I haven't tested the links, but it seems to have links to the whole match there.

 

[bandido]

no wait the above link just gives you the goals....

 

[ginola007]

Best pre season game Rose has had ....he attacked well,made some VERY good tackles using his upper body strength.....and better still once he made the tackle and released the ball ....he carried on incase of a return or to at least give that option.
Hoping with Davis coming in and the new contract, have given him the kick up the ass and also the confidence - faith Poch/DL have shown him to pressed on and improve his game.

Harry Kane did my head in a few times ....falling over looking for fouls,he seemed a little lost ?

Rose also did very well in Chicago; a new man since Davis came on board. It's only pre-season, so not yet time to get too excited. It looks, however, we do finally have adequate coverage for the left-back position.

Kane, on the other hand, seems to have regressed from the fine form he was in towards the tail end of the season. Let's hope Poch can turn him around.

 

[UbeAstard]

I was gonna post this yesterday but didn't get time and I noticed a couple of comments on here already appreciating this, but one also still has him as the prospective whipping boy.
Something that people on here wont like to hear or will ever say (but I was wrong), ROSE HAD A GOOD GAME. A very good game. The club and experienced manager has shown in recent weeks they have seen enough in him to give him a chance, so hopefully in a decent organised set up he can show his value. Of course he has his weaknesses and limitations but on yesterday you wouldn't be picking Davies over him.
Lamela as I have already said elsewhere needs to do a lot more to be guarenteed a place than just having a big price tag and a reputation. This season has to be his coming of age in the premierleague and I really hope we see what he can do.

 

[tomo]

Where was Walker?

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

Harry Kane did my head in a few times ....falling over looking for fouls,he seemed a little lost ?
COYS

Am normally a big Kane fan, but agree yesterday he looked scared and where has he picked up this Heskeyish collapsing to the floor when under pressure.

 

[stuffies]

Where was Walker?

Re watching his great back pass in last seasons game against Chelsea??

Unsure to be honest ....but without the match fitness I can't see him starting as our RB this season.

 

[db1]

I've seen a lot of comments regarding Rose including above saying people won't like to hear he had a good game. Wrong. Of course it is great to see he had a good game and the more players capable of having a good game the better. Though many have said the 'rose bashing is embarrassing' and why is he being victimised etc, I think they forget how horrendous he was in those games to get the stick in the first place doing things like attempted cruyff turns on halfway line as last defender. I would love if he turns it around and is good for us but lets not pretend that criticism was completely unjustified and from nowhere. Good luck to Rose and all spurs players and COYS!

 

[tomo]

If Rose and Naughton start the season as 1st choice full backs then it is a bit worrying. Not convinced by either.

 

[stuffies]

Am normally a big Kane fan, but agree yesterday he looked scared and where has he picked up this Heskeyish collapsing to the floor when under pressure.

Personally I have always thought he'd be an ok player but not to the standard we need.......
Then he played really well back end of last season, but still doesn't do it for me.....but would make a ok squad player.

Yesterday he just seemed to have lost the plot .....looked uneasy,didn't have a clue what he was meant to be doing.
When he did have the ball ....he looked scared like shit what do I do now HELP ME !!...
When he went down in the box I was like wtf ....the defender was behind him .....hes heading towards the goal ...only two options ....
1. square it if someone else is there for a tap in.
2. SHOOT.
what did he do .....slowed right down so he got knocked over and went down like a sack of spuds ......even my kids were laughing at him.

Might be just a one off,but IMHO we need better cover than him