How much longer?

[wadewill]

Can people please stop calling teams stupid nicknames

Especially Liverfool, it’s really embarrassing

 

[SUIYHA]

If we go on a sixteen match winning run, from now until we beat Villa on the 8th of February, including wins over City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd, we will be on par with the same number of points we were at after 26 games last season. We have now already dropped more points than Man City and Liverpool did in the entirety of last season.

An isolated 2-1 defeat to this Liverpool side is far from the worst thing in the world, but only if you take it in isolation. But then why should anyone who follows Spurs closely enough to be posting on message boards be looking at it in isolation? If you look at recent results, recent performances from players, the team selection and yet another example of poor tactical in-game performance, you can see there is something clearly very wrong at the club. When Poch first arrived, he took control of the dressing room by getting rid of Adebayor, Soldado, Lennon, Kaboul and Capoue - some big name big money players that weren't performing. On Tuesday night, I thought he was leading his second revolution. But yesterday, we saw the same old crap, back in the starting XI, back to letting the team down again.

Let's also be clear - I think we all "like" Pochettino as a character. He's been a great front man for the club over the last few years and we all desperately want him to succeed here. But...just because we like him, or because he has done very good things for us up to now, does not mean he should be guaranteed a job for life if he is no longer able to do the things that made him successful. People said that Leicester were mad to sack Ranieri or that Liverpool were mad to sack Rodgers but I agreed with both decisions at the time - the fact that they had had success with the team in one scenario didn't mean that they had what it took to get them out of a rut and progress the club further, and both decisions have proven entirely correct. Now Poch has plenty of goodwill amongst the fans, plenty of credit in the bank with us, BUT if it becomes apparent that he is no longer the man for the job then we have no room for sentiment based on past history. And I'm sad to say but it is looking more and more like that is the case. The reality of it is, the clock is ticking now, and if we get to December out of the Champions League, out of the League Cup, out of the title race and well adrift of the top four, I don't see Levy and ENIC being any less ruthless than they've been in the past.

Again - I hope he can turn things around but it does not look good at the moment.

 

[Shadydan]

Can people please stop calling teams stupid nicknames

Especially Liverfool, it’s really embarrassing

Yeah alright wadewilly

 

[Gassin's finest]

But then, when? Earlier it was "the three next games (Southampton, Brighton, Watford) are so easy, he'll get us back on track. Then it was "can't decide now after such a show vs. Crvena zvezda. So when does one decide? What's enough?

I think his team selection and the freedom of the performance against Red Star gave some hope that he was changing his tack, and relinquishing the leash so to speak. Many expected that to be the game that decided his fate, and anything other than the performance we got might have been the end.

Liverpool was, and remains, a largely free game in terms of; will he stick with that team, or was he just resting his "key" players. Unfortunately he did simply to resort to the same players and system that's been flailing around since August.

The problem is that its still difficult to really get an appreciation of the future from a 2-1 defeat at Anfield... especially one where we led at half time.

That's why the trip to Everton now becomes the test. Same team, same problems and same result, and that could well be it.

 

[McFlash]

The selection of Eriksen to start, based on recent form, was wrong.
To watch Eriksen ambling about, giving the ball away and attempting to press by wafting in the general direction of the ball, then not hauling him off at half time, was confusing.
To then choose to play Eriksen for the full 90 minutes was completely nonsensical.

Alli wasn't great but at least he was trying.

 

[rossdapep]

Then if we dont win next Sunday, the weekend after that is when it really matters ?

prayforriggi @riggi

 

[TOMSPURS]

I hate the word 'spursy' but it does seem to fit us!! Since Poch took over we have progressed both on & off the pitch to the point where we could almost touch Champions League & Premier League success. Now, just when we should be taking the final step we start to implode!!
I have huge respect for Poch & the fantastic job he has done for us. Balancing financial restrictions while still progressing the team. But right now he looks lost. He looks like a man who knows what he's doing is not right but is too stubborn to change.
It reminds me of a story told by a fantastic young coach - his boss called him into his office, told him he knew he was a brilliant coach & had full confidence in him but that he didn't have to try & prove it all the time. Some players in training gave their opinions about how they felt the team could improve & the coach ignored them. His boss told him that listening to others would not reduce his standing or authority, rather make him a better coach.
Players aren't stupid when it comes to team selection & tactics, not sure 1 of them would have chosen Eriksen to do a defensive shift yesterday?? Can't believe none of Poch's assistants didn't raise concerns about it. If Poch is too blind/stubborn to see his errors then there is only 1 option, he has to go.
I have said it before, if we want to be 1 of Europe's top clubs, we must act like 1. We have the stadium, training ground & players. Jose & Allegri are proven winners who know how to manage big teams, big players & huge expectations. Would love to see Poch turn it around but I'm losing faith.

 

[m*****73]

If some people thought that we'd play the same side twice in a row then they are not tuned it to our present situation. NDombele still hasn't got two consecutive starts in him. Poch is also hedging his bets with Aurier Sanchez Rose Davies Dele Moura and Eriksen. Too many of our guys are not really match fit. Kane Son Toby and Vert seem the only players we have up to it and he even rotated Vert out today. Patience is needed but that requires time

Do you honestly think that we are the only club with injuries and players who aren't 100% match fit?

EVERY other club and manager faces the same problems. But that's no excuse for the performances this season (and really, for the last 10 months...). With the players we have, we shouldn't be getting beat by Brighton or a poor Newcastle. When you see the lack of commitment and intensity, allowing Bayern to embarrass us in our own stadium, it's a clear sign that the rot is setting in... It's not a temporary 'blip', it's been getting progressively worse since January (barring a second half miracle in Amsterdam!).

You can stick your head in the stand and look for excuses, or you can believe what your eyes are seeing. Your choice.

 

[riggi]

prayforriggi @riggi

ahhh fuck sake

 

[Fredo]

He's got to go. I just don't understand how you can't see what's happening on the pitch and make a change. It was clear as day that Ndombele needed to come on to freshen up the midfield because we were tiring and just didn't have it in us. Winks is not good enough. Way too overrated amongst some of our fanbase. I see people wanting him in our starting lineups. He hasn't got the physicality and pure ability to succeed in that position for us. He's average. How does Poch justify starting Winks ahead of Ndombele? & Lets not even start about Eriksen..

The manager doesn't know how to manage at the standard required anymore. It's like he's just in it for the bants and gets off at home to us getting pissed at what he's doing... because nothing makes sense?! He used to be all about choosing the players with the right attitude now he's playing all the players that want out. Is that a joke or? Besides that he just doesn't have the tactical ability to beat a PL team over the course of 90mins anymore; he's basically Ole. How do you put Eriksen in charge of covering a clown in Aurier, thats just a recipe for disaster. So many questions.

The man is very stubborn and arrogant, he looks like he's set out to destroy the club.

 

[worcestersauce]

I hate the word 'spursy' but it does seem to fit us!! Since Poch took over we have progressed both on & off the pitch to the point where we could almost touch Champions League & Premier League success. Now, just when we should be taking the final step we start to implode!!
I have huge respect for Poch & the fantastic job he has done for us. Balancing financial restrictions while still progressing the team. But right now he looks lost. He looks like a man who knows what he's doing is not right but is too stubborn to change.
It reminds me of a story told by a fantastic young coach - his boss called him into his office, told him he knew he was a brilliant coach & had full confidence in him but that he didn't have to try & prove it all the time. Some players in training gave their opinions about how they felt the team could improve & the coach ignored them. His boss told him that listening to others would not reduce his standing or authority, rather make him a better coach.
Players aren't stupid when it comes to team selection & tactics, not sure 1 of them would have chosen Eriksen to do a defensive shift yesterday?? Can't believe none of Poch's assistants didn't raise concerns about it. If Poch is too blind/stubborn to see his errors then there is only 1 option, he has to go.
I have said it before, if we want to be 1 of Europe's top clubs, we must act like 1. We have the stadium, training ground & players. Jose & Allegri are proven winners who know how to manage big teams, big players & huge expectations. Would love to see Poch turn it around but I'm losing faith.

That's not what spursy is no matter how much pundits use it and we should know better.
Spursy is going into the last game of the season just needing to get a result to get CL and the entire squad going down to a virus and Richard scudamore standing on the pitch at Highbury wearing an arsenal T shirt and smiling while saying tough shit.
Spursy is losing our place in the CL to the previous winners, Chelsea, only for the rule to be changed making us the only club it will ever happen to.
Spursy is losing a semi final on penalties the first year they did that way having done away with the sway goals rule under which we'd have won it.
Spursy is not a bad run of form.

 

[Anurag Jo]

There is not much Poch Out apart from SC. And dont think Levy has any plans of sacking Poch.

Maybe its time to write off this season. Its a shame because we have such a brilliant squad(apart from the obvious defensive problems.)

 

[gavspur]

Watching the game yesterday, I can’t say the players didn’t try. I thought that they all tried, apart from Eriksen (and Kane to a point), but they were just not helped by our manager. Heading towards half time, I was thinking ‘fuckin hell Poch, help them out, they’re getting pummelled!’... but nothing came... second half was the same, we could all see it coming.. Leaving Eriksen in front of Aurier??? Are you actually trying to get the sack? That’s basically an invite to Liverpool to attack down that side. I’m not against Poch for losing at Liverpool, but I am against Poch for these continuous stupid decisions, and his lack of helping the team out from the touch line. He’s lost the plot. It’s sad, it’s sore, but it is also true.

 

[Gassin's finest]

There is not much Poch Out apart from SC. And dont think Levy has any plans of sacking Poch.

Maybe its time to write off this season. Its a shame because we have such a brilliant squad(apart from the obvious defensive problems.)

I think this might be the case. Levy will know how much cost there is in sacking him, and then hiring a new manager, and handing them a war chest.

Does that weigh up though against CL revenue, etc? Or do we make enough money off commercial channels now that we're not as fussed?

Its troubling.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Watching the game yesterday, I can’t say the players didn’t try. I thought that they all tried, apart from Eriksen (and Kane to a point), but they were just not helped by our manager. Heading towards half time, I was thinking ‘fuckin hell Poch, help them out, they’re getting pummelled!’... but nothing came... second half was the same, we could all see it coming.. Leaving Eriksen in front of Aurier??? Are you actually trying to get the sack? That’s basically an invite to Liverpool to attack down that side. I’m not against Poch for losing at Liverpool, but I am against Poch for these continuous stupid decisions, and his lack of helping the team out from the touch line. He’s lost the plot. It’s sad, it’s sore, but it is also true.

This... I thought, on a scale of Brighton to Palace, that performance wise we did well to hold a 1-0 lead to half time at Anfield.

But as I said in the match thread, the usual issues of system and selection are there. That really needs to change, and now.

 

[freeeki]

The selection of Eriksen to start, based on recent form, was wrong.
To watch Eriksen ambling about, giving the ball away and attempting to press by wafting in the general direction of the ball, then not hauling him off at half time, was confusing.
To then choose to play Eriksen for the full 90 minutes was completely nonsensical.

Alli wasn't great but at least he was trying.

Yeah, I can't be too annoyed with Dele at the moment. He's clearly putting the effort in to try and re-capture his best form, which can't be easy when the whole team are demotivated and the atmosphere seems toxic.

It also would have been a dick move to drop Dele after getting the equaliser against Watford.

Eriksen on the other hand can fuck off.

 

[NickHSpurs]

I am 100 % sure Pochettinho will get it right and we'll be better for it.

And stop behaving like tarts some of you. There's a lot to be positive about we've got to stick together and support the manager.

What was positive about picking Eriksen again and reverting to the team that got us in this mess and change it again off the back of a 5-0 win?

 

[onthetwo]

if we fail to win against either Everton or Sheff Utd, prior to another international break, i think it could be the end as we'd still have time to bring someone in with aspirations of bridging the gap to the Top-4.

 

[austinfh]

Yeah, I can't be too annoyed with Dele at the moment. He's clearly putting the effort in to try and re-capture his best form, which can't be easy when the whole team are demotivated and the atmosphere seems toxic.

It also would have been a dick move to drop Dele after getting the equaliser against Watford.

Eriksen on the other hand can fuck off.

Also I feel like Dele had a lot of defensive responsibility yesterday and made lots of good blocks, some interceptions, it was gonna be difficult for him to have a big impact on attack when we were setup the way we were

 

[mike_l]

Watching the game yesterday, I can’t say the players didn’t try. I thought that they all tried, apart from Eriksen (and Kane to a point), but they were just not helped by our manager. Heading towards half time, I was thinking ‘fuckin hell Poch, help them out, they’re getting pummelled!’... but nothing came... second half was the same, we could all see it coming.. Leaving Eriksen in front of Aurier??? Are you actually trying to get the sack? That’s basically an invite to Liverpool to attack down that side. I’m not against Poch for losing at Liverpool, but I am against Poch for these continuous stupid decisions, and his lack of helping the team out from the touch line. He’s lost the plot. It’s sad, it’s sore, but it is also true.

What's worrying is, yeah they were trying, but the absolute lack if any quality. Very similar to the City game but not quite as bad, on the rare occasions we did get the ball we looked like a lower league team.

Given the quality of players available that's unforgivable, the likes of Villa will give a better showing than that, even if they do lose by more.