Barcelona vs Tottenham Hotspur (Joan Gamper Cup) 19.00 Tonight

[SSC]

Yeah, I always act injured when i've been done as well. He's fine.

Didn't he literally reach and grab his hammy whilst chasing on the third goal? My stream was a little grainy...

 

[Joe Bjorn Hotspur]

Perfect for Everton surely.

Luton is not too far away for Dier. Single ticket on the Thameslink pending.

 

[Locotoro]

My observations of our team.

Our style of play has really turned the corner - whatever Ange has done with them I'm seriously impressed. We seemed comfortable for most of the match until we brought on the youth players.

Players that did well?

Bissouma - what fantastic ball retention and close skills, he's surely first choice.

Skipp - He surprised me with his attacking runs into the box and ability to get to the ball first in transition.

Perisic - we all thought he'd be gone but this squad definitely has a place for an old head and he really lead by example by putting in some aggressive plays.

Sanchez - yes I know he will be leaving but credit due. He looked so much better and actually appeared to be comfortable on the ball.

Players that didn't do well?

Spence - I understand that his time on the pitch was limited but his decision making was so bad. Every pass was one or two touches too late, over hit or picked out the wrong run. I can see how others were getting frustrated with him. There was even a sequence with Devine telling him to play the through ball behind, Devine busts a gut to make the run and Spence hammers the ball straight at his feet whilst he's still Infront of the defence. He's good at going past players but that really is it right now.

Reguilon - I'm going to say he had a good performance...but... That end sequence where he's still at left back and playing injured really irked me. If I'm not able to run and I'm lined up against a skillful speed merchant on the half way line then I'm screaming at my winger and telling him to switch places with me because I can't run. But of a harsh criticism but I expect players to make those decisions on the pitch and not try to be a hero. His injury cost us 2 maybe 3 goals

On the whole a very useful performance from our side and setting up the team so that it balances out first and second choice players really creates the perception of competition for places rather than going with a first and second string in these matches

 

[PCozzie]

Lots of positives and very few negatives. Not interested in bashing players like Dier and Reguillon, who are clearly behind the others in terms of fitness. Lo Celso looks reborn and Bissouma will be immense in a few weeks when he’s 100%. Skipp was full of running in midfield too. Sanchez might be worth another look as his pace suits the high line. Love the passing under pressure and the patterns of play. We’re going to be something special to watch when the system fully clicks.

Yeh, we're a side just a few weeks into an entirely different managemt and playing style having had our pre-season quite badly disrupted. I'm frankly amazed that we've taken a second string side to Barcelona and just played without any fear.

These matches always end up open and loose so I look to how we played in the first 60 mins rather than the last 15 and I'm really happy.

 

[KingNick]

I thought I'd heard somewhere early in the season that he wasn't interested in moving at this point.

We better not offer him a new contract though.

That’s kind of my point. He obviously had confidence that yet again he could win over a manager. He needs telling now that it just won’t work and he’s unlikely to play at all.

He will still believe he can play for England so he will want to be sure of game time ahead of next year.

 

[Sweech]

He's an idiot if he doesn't leave because if he keeps playing like that then even Phillips will usurp him before long and he won't play a minute all season.

Yeah agreed, but he constantly wins over managers with his attitude. While it's quite obvious to us he's a fairly woeful defender and cannot defend 1v1 whatsoever.

 

[kd2000]

Would be amazing if someone could give a summary of the game and who played well. In a bar in Benidorm which I couldn't get signal to watch

 

[WiganSpur]

Lots of positives and very few negatives. Not interested in bashing players like Dier and Reguillon, who are clearly behind the others in terms of fitness. Lo Celso looks reborn and Bissouma will be immense in a few weeks when he’s 100%. Skipp was full of running in midfield too. Sanchez might be worth another look as his pace suits the high line. Love the passing under pressure and the patterns of play. We’re going to be something special to watch when the system fully clicks.

Perisic was excellent. Think i'd keep him now, especially with all the younger players we are signing.

 

[mark87]

So annoyed I didn't get to post this

 

[SSC]

Actually very encouraged by that performance. Sanchez, Lo Celso and Bissouma the standouts for me.

Vicario couldn't really do anything about any of the goals.

We played some bloody lovely stuff, I'm genuinely excited to see what Ange can do with us when he's got the team he wants.

US commentary pointed out he made a few saves where the ball was likely going wide, so giving away unnecessary corners. Assume that can be coached out of him.

 

[luRRka]

The last 15 minutes was shambolic, probably a reflection of the shambolic pre-season preparation.

Probably a reflection that was a 2nd string team who had just played 75 mins, against one of the best teams in the world, who had just brought on 8 fresh pairs of legs while we bring on djed spence, alfie devine and dane scarlett

 

[bubble07]

Ange interview

Accepts players couldn't run in the end. Dissap9inted couldn't get win in the end. Good 75 minutes. Not good last 15

Can see intent is there. Intent to play football

Skipp is a super player has so much energy works hard with or without ball. Picked up a knock and still battled through

Thought midfield 3 were outstanding

 

[mil1lion]

I would keep Sanchez over Dier. He suits the high line far better. Clearly need 1 more centre back but pace behind is so key. Happy to sell both though if we could get 1 homegrown player there.

A bit concerned with right back cover, Porro could develop there but it will take time. Maybe a centre back who can play either side could allow Romero to cover right back at times. Similar to VdV covering left centre back and left back.

 

[Jamturk]

Just think he is shit again

He wasn't on either bench.

 

[bubble07]

US commentary pointed out he made a few saves where the ball was likely going wide, so giving away unnecessary corners. Assume that can be coached out of him.

Yea he did that on 2 maybe 3 occasions. That will get annoying if we end up conceding from resulting corners

 

[Tonio]

People saying sell Dier, but seriously who would want him?

Honestly anyone trying to defend this guy from here on in is simply trolling the forum. They have to be. That or they’re just being, how do I put it… being wilfully stupid.

 

[Olé]

Was @ game. Reggie a calamity defensively. Need to sell. All 4 goals and most chances came from his side. His positioning is abysmal. Dire was dire (not a hater but his pace and agility.. sell), Spence.. move on. Richie.. saw little. Rest plates well. Sanchez and Bissouma MoM with Lo Celso and Skippy not far behind. Overall many positives. Spurs B the better team for most of the game

 

[1882andallthat]

Some encouraging performances and positives, particularly from Sanchez and most of the midfielders.

If it crystallises who we need to sell from our defence and what upgrades we need and we are decisive on this in the remainder of the window, and we know exactly what we need to work on to stop the flow of sloppy goals being conceded that will also be a big positive.

 

[Mr Pink]

I don't mean to be disrespectful to Dier (I am a bit) but I'm so sick of seeing him play for us now.

It's gone on so long and he's never been quite good enough, but in this system it's suicide.

We have to move him on. Even as cover he's no good for this season

 

[bubble07]

I hope Everton will want to take him. And he can reunite with Dele again.

Tarkowski and Keane and mina and Godfrey are all better than Jim though