Match Threads Lokomotiv Plovdiv vs Spurs - Match Thread - Europa League

[Northernspurs]

So our next match is against Shkëndija in North Macedonia.

I’ve googled them and they play in Tetovo, which is only about 40 minutes drive from Skopje airport, so thankfully no ridiculous coach journey through the Macedonian mountains which are stunning but a pain in the arse at the best of times.

Tetovo is essentially an Albanian town but in North Macedonia. Half the roads in the city centre are literally made of mud. I’m glad there’s no supporters allowed in because it would be rowdy as hell.

Tetovo is also home to a multi coloured painted mosque which is a stunning gem hidden in quite a drab place.

I feel I’m really outing myself as a full on travel geek with these fixtures but yes I really have been to both Plovdiv and Tetovo ?

Can I ask why we are away again.. is it the draw?

 

[fridgemagnet]

Is fucking ridiculous we have to play 3 of such games just to qualify for a tournament half the glitter of CL..

It's always seemed to me that the "Europa League" is more a punishment with the outside shot at a high reward than being a prize of European football even if it isn't the Champions League.
The stupid number of games, domestic championship stitching teams up moving fixtures for TV then you still have the CL drop downs should you navigate that fixture list. Once you're out you should be out not rewarded with another shot at it.

The UEFA cup was as it should've been, even if I disagreed with the CL teams dropping down.

Just back to being tucked up by TV, there's no reason whatsoever Spurs should've had to play Everton on the Sunday rather than the Saturday.

The only upside I'm taking is they're high consequence pre-season matches and hopefully being 1 legged I hope it installs some sort of mentality in our approach to knockout football.

Doesn't mean I agree with the way the Europa League is structured though.

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

Boring dross, poor game ,Only positives, Ndombele and Gio. Thats all im guna focus from this game, as 90% was sh*te... Ndomebele changed the game, the tempo and is more of the Ndombele we all want to see. Him and Gio are progressive, attacking minded creative players, both on the same wavelength, players who can unlock teams, with cleverness and bit of class.

 

[Good Doctor M]

Yeah same, somethings wrong inside their heads, got to be. You dont turn from being great footballs to dross like some of these have. Yet they do continually show their ability in small patches when they can be bothered.

I genuinely think the CL final really affected them psychologically. They knew they had blown a wonderful chance - a really romantic, beautiful victory - The team that Poch built.
Things fell apart. The colossal effort to get there, it would be a difficult thing to go back into I it and try to emulate it. We we re underdogs the whole tournament. It was a heroic turn around. I'd be heart broken. And it would be bittersweet to got back out and try again. The deflation is a lot to come back from.

 

[ERO]

Those highlights were on par with the general transmission.

Loved those little clips of a lower league match thrown in for good measure.

 

[Phomesy]

Spot on. The trouble is, there’s a handful of people who are just waiting for the slightest opportunity to put the boot into Mourinho. They are that desperate that they’ve unplugged their bullshit filters and just spew their bile all over the place like a water sprinkler gone mad

I think the far greater worry is that some of the players seem also to be just waiting for the slightest opportunity to put the boot into Mourinho

Whatever he's telling them either isn't working or isn't being carried out on the pitch. Hopefully that changes but to suggest we've had anything even remotely suggesting "green shoots" for the future with Spurs playing as a "Mourinho side" simply isn't true. We struggle to score and we can't keep a clean sheet. He has to stamp his authority on this side soon or we have to consider the possibility he doesn't have any "authority" any more.

Hopefully Bale and Reguilon help. He'll have "his" team then.

 

[Marty]

Can I ask why we are away again.. is it the draw?

It is a random draw. We've been max unlucky.

 

[Don_Felipe]

Was listening to the audio commentary from the spurs site - best commentary I've ever listened to - two blokes trying to get information from Bulgaria and guessing what was happening.


Prefer that over five live any day of the week

 

[BringBack_leGin]

It’s not Macedonia. It’s northern Macedonia. Macedonia is a region of northern Greece (birthplace to one Alexander the great). It’s a recent change, but a commentator should really be getting it right.

You disagree with these factual comments @Mornstar ? Or are you just upset that I suggested your awfully timed joke was ban worthy?

 

[VegasII]

Was listening to the audio commentary from the spurs site - best commentary I've ever listened to - two blokes trying to get information from Bulgaria and guessing what was happening.


Prefer that over five live any day of the week

Probably still makes more sense than Talksport.

 

[sparx100]

Do you think he starts ahead of Kane, Bale, Son or Dele? Or do you think he’s not even good enough for a sub’s shirt?

He definitely starts ahead of Dele and the way in which Son is playing for me he gets ahead of him at the moment.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

Boring dross, poor game ,Only positives, Ndombele and Gio. Thats all im guna focus from this game, as 90% was sh*te... Ndomebele changed the game, the tempo and is more of the Ndombele we all want to see. Him and Gio are progressive, attacking minded creative players, both on the same wavelength, players who can unlock teams, with cleverness and bit of class.

I thought Lo Celso was poor.

 

[ERO]

You disagree with these factual comments @Mornstar ? Or are you just upset that I suggested your awfully timed joke was ban worthy?

If we're being picky, it's North Macedonia, not northern Macedonia

 

[BringBack_leGin]

If we're being picky, it's North Macedonia, not northern Macedonia

Good point well made.

 

[rossdapep]

I thought Lo Celso was poor.

Started very well but became less involved as the game went on.

But you can put that totally down to lack of any preseason.

 

[Yid-ol]

Those highlights were on par with the general transmission.

Loved those little clips of a lower league match thrown in for good measure.

Probably better quality than our own match

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

Started very well but became less involved as the game went on.

But you can put that totally down to lack of any preseason.

Yeah, not singling him out. The whole team look way off the pace at the moment.

The one bright spark of the game was Ndombele. Fitness still needs work but within a minute of coming on he split the defence about 3 times.

 

[Animal farmer]

I think from what I saw, it’d have to be Lamela for possibly interfering with play, but I think he tried to avoid the ball knowing he was offside. Could be wrong though based on the stream I was watching.

Lamela was definitely offside. He tried to touch the ball, the replay shows it,and this is a clear-cut interference.

 

[panoma]

With Plovdiv out I don't really see who's gonna stop us from winning the EL this year.

Well done lads.

 

[ClintEastwould]

Now there's some good fucking ball movement. ?

against 9 Bulgarian farmers