Match Threads Hoffenheim vs Spurs

[rossdapep]

If it wasn't for that last minute goal against Roma, we would have already qualified pretty much (GD).

Gotta hope we get a relatively easie tie in the next round so we can hopefully have most players back and getting them into a rhythm.

 

[taidgh]

Please let this be a joke

Can't believe Ange didn't select them. Disgrace(ia)!

 

[DenverSpur]

Overall, given the circumstances with a long injury list and those left suffering from fatigue, a good team performance.
The game should have been over after about 20 minutes as we should have been 4-0 by then but was only 2-0 because of horrendous misses by Porro and Son. Therein is one of the main reasons for our problems. Despite the fact that the majority of our injuries are in defense their standins are not playing that bad. The attack is where we are being let down. Aside from spurning good chances they continually give up the ball. After we went 2-0 up we were under the cosh because Richarlison couldn’t hold the ball up; Kulusevski gave the ball up in virtually every attack he was involved in and Son wasn’t that much better. The result is the defense is under constant pressure.
In the end we got the 3 points and there was some good performances especially from Bentancur, Gray and Davies as well as Maddison especially in the first half. A special mention also for Austin who apart from their second goal did very well in his first European game especially given the amount of pressure we were under for large periods of the game.

 

[DenverSpur]

Kulu Very loose pass

All night.

 

[DenverSpur]

He's been decent for the most part. Considering he barely gets any game time.

The defensive side of this game has been utterly woeful.

I disagree. It’s the attacking side which has been woeful. Missed chance and a total inability to keep hold of the ball resulting in our defense being under near constant pressure. Overall they have defended well.

 

[DenverSpur]

Played more minutes for us than any other player, the fact he was still on the pitch was impressive enough for me.

I think it’s Porro whose played the most minutes?

 

[rabbikeane]

I think it’s Porro whose played the most minutes?

Players with more than 1000 minutes played according to Transfermarkt:

2557 mins: Pedro Porro
2445 mins: Kulusevski
2248 mins: Solanke
2121 mins: Johnson
2068 mins: Dragusin
1994 mins: Son
1887 mins: Gray
1867 mins: Maddison
1785 mins: Sarr
1648 mins: Bissouma
1350 mins: Vicario
1270 mins: Bentancur
1170 mins: Forster
1118 mins: Romero
1029 mins: Davies
1024 mins: Bergvall

 

[DenverSpur]

Spurs form in cup games this season.
Played 12, won 9 drawn 2 lost 1.

Traditionally we’ve always been a cup club.

 

[coys63]

Players with more than 1000 minutes played according to Transfermarkt:

2557 mins: Pedro Porro
2445 mins: Kulusevski
2248 mins: Solanke
2121 mins: Johnson
2068 mins: Dragusin
1994 mins: Son
1887 mins: Gray
1867 mins: Maddison
1785 mins: Sarr
1648 mins: Bissouma
1350 mins: Vicario
1270 mins: Bentancur
1170 mins: Forster
1118 mins: Romero
1029 mins: Davies
1024 mins: Bergvall

Good interview with Madders after the game on TT which gives a great insight to how the players are feeling, accepting what the situation is and trying to do the best they can. And I doubt he or any of the players have an issue with Ange. They are just bloody knackered but trying their best to recover, rest and get ready to go again every 3 days.

 

[allatsea]

Good interview with Madders after the game on TT which gives a great insight to how the players are feeling, accepting what the situation is and trying to do the best they can. And I doubt he or any of the players have an issue with Ange. They are just bloody knackered but trying their best to recover, rest and get ready to go again every 3 days.

They are still giving their all for Ange and the team despite most running on fumes. Need some of the injured back so some can be rested/dropped.

 

[EastUpperDK82]

They are still giving their all for Ange and the team despite most running on fumes. Need some of the injured back so some can be rested/dropped.

And new signings

 

[allatsea]

And new signings

Getting some of our injured back will be like new signings lol

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

I disagree. It’s the attacking side which has been woeful. Missed chance and a total inability to keep hold of the ball resulting in our defense being under near constant pressure. Overall they have defended well.

Defenders individually didn't do much wrong. But as a whole, the defending was poor in my opinion. Lost control of the ball and they had no control over large parts of the game. Off the ball work etc. A lack of picking up danger, i.e. crosses to the far post. As a collective, the in game management is often atrocious.

That could be for a number of reasons
But defensively, I feel the side lacks coordination.

I agree with you about the attacking players.

Edit. Dont want to take away from a win in difficult circumstances. Job done. But sometimes I think the absenteeism masks some issues.

 

[Shanks]

I wonder how you'd assess richarlisons performance

Just come back from injury really.

His strength isn't an issue and you know what he can do already.

 

[SUIYHA]

I disagree. It’s the attacking side which has been woeful. Missed chance and a total inability to keep hold of the ball resulting in our defense being under near constant pressure. Overall they have defended well.

This team is crying out for a real fast, direct dribbler. So many times we got in a position to run at them and exploit gaps but don't have the legs to do it. Son isn't that guy anymore and Kulu whilst a good technical dribbler has never really had the pace. The only one in our entire squad who fits that bill really is Werner and his end product is useless.

We'll not only score more goals if we have this profile of player in the team but concede less as we'll peg opponents back and prevent them from committing too many men forward with high lines.

 

[markt]

Players with more than 1000 minutes played according to Transfermarkt:

2557 mins: Pedro Porro
2445 mins: Kulusevski
2248 mins: Solanke
2121 mins: Johnson
2068 mins: Dragusin
1994 mins: Son
1887 mins: Gray
1867 mins: Maddison
1785 mins: Sarr
1648 mins: Bissouma
1350 mins: Vicario
1270 mins: Bentancur
1170 mins: Forster
1118 mins: Romero
1029 mins: Davies
1024 mins: Bergvall

This should be taken into account when judging players. No wonder both Kulusevski and Porro look shattered. They both started season well, but form dropped off as a result of being overplayed

No wonder last night both looked good first half, big really tailed off in the 2nd

 

[DannyNZ]

Players with more than 1000 minutes played according to Transfermarkt:

2557 mins: Pedro Porro
2445 mins: Kulusevski
2248 mins: Solanke
2121 mins: Johnson
2068 mins: Dragusin
1994 mins: Son
1887 mins: Gray
1867 mins: Maddison
1785 mins: Sarr
1648 mins: Bissouma
1350 mins: Vicario
1270 mins: Bentancur
1170 mins: Forster
1118 mins: Romero
1029 mins: Davies
1024 mins: Bergvall

Great table, thought Son might have clocked up more minutes. Big workloads on players where we've lacked squad depth.

 

[Mate]

Lads.

Love how they had to bring the non-playing staff into the picture to bolster the numbers

 

[Thenewcat]

yes that’s exactly what I’m saying. If offered a win tonight or a win on Sunday then without hesitation I’d pick Sunday. I feel it’s that important.

Fair enough but I completely disagree. If we lose yesterday we have to play two more midweek games which impacts our chances of winning the premier league games those weeks as well as reducing our odds of winning the Europa League itself. Call me an optimist but I still think we will beat Leicester anyway

 

[worcestersauce]

The weather reports saying it's miserable, mirky, windy, cold and pissing down with rain but they're wrong, the sun is up, the sky is blue, the birds are singing like the first day of spring and all my aches and pains have gone.
Amazing what a win can do for you!