Match Threads Middlesbrough vs Spurs - FA Cup Match Thread

[Metalhead]

What people can't understand is that a side the just a few short months ago took us to the European Cup final now look bereft of confidence and belief. I think most of us believed that we would move forward

Yeah but we weren't pulling up trees in the league. The CL run papered over the cracks. This team needs time and a rebuild.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I never thought that he brought Mourinho in for an instant fix. He needs at least three or four new players. Trying to get much out of this team, especially without a pre-season is a tall order.

I think he definitely did bring him in for a quick fix, particularly with all the talk of being happy with the squad and there being no need to spend in January.

 

[Johnny J]

I think he definitely did bring him in for a quick fix, particularly with all the talk of being happy with the squad and there being no need to spend in January.

That was obviously PR nonsense. He's not going to walk into a new dressing room and say in public he needs new players. He's not an idiot. He knows some of our players aren't good enough.

 

[Metalhead]

I think he definitely did bring him in for a quick fix, particularly with all the talk of being happy with the squad and there being no need to spend in January.

Well I'll wait until the end of January before I believe that we won't spend but that team definitely needs rebuilding and it's inconceivable that Levy wouldn't have known that Jose will want to build his own team over the course of the next year. Whether or not people expect or want it, this is a medium term project at least.

 

[spursfan1991]

I hope the replay tickets are like £20

 

[Rout-Ledge]

That was obviously PR nonsense. He's not going to walk into a new dressing room and say in public he needs new players. He's not an idiot. He knows some of our players aren't good enough.

I hope you’re right.

 

[YiddoTom90]

We do need a striker bad too

 

[paulcumpstone]

I won't be going, can't be Arsed to spend more money when it's clear the Board aren't prepared to invest in the team.

Another poor performance, lack of quality football especially up front & Eriksen simply shouldn't be on the park. He doesn't want to be there & it shows in his play.

Ironically as disinterested as eriksen looks hes still a much better player even at that level than the likes of alli who coast through games without the quality

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

Just poor , not good enough, no desire or a care bar Moura Verts and Lamela and Gio. in 2nd half...

Today was like watching our last 6/7 games no difference, clueless and cant hold team shape and as mentioned above lack of desire, same DEf issues, same Mid issues (not as highlighted as much Mboro sat back alot but still same) lack of motivation from too many players, Same sloooooooow passing, no tempo, no movement to create space, same errors and frailties as last 6/7 games, nothing is learned and nothing has changed. We look like we did under Poch when he left

 

[Yid-ol]

At least a replay means all the new signings we are about to get, have another game to learn to play with each other...... Right!?.....

 

[John48]

Ironically as disinterested as eriksen looks hes still a much better player even at that level than the likes of alli who coast through games without the quality

Dele was played too deep. His best games recent have been when he's pushed alongside Kane make the runs into the box that lead to goals. He's simply not good enough when he plays deep. His passing isn't good enough his tackling isn't good enough & simply doesn't affect the game from there.

 

[Hoddlegenius]

I thought our movement and passing improved massively when Lamela & Lo Celso came on. Before that, we again looked so pedestrian and predictable - very concerning...

 

[Yid-ol]

I thought our movement and passing improved massively when Lamela & Lo Celso came on. Before that, we again looked so pedestrian and predictable - very concerning...

You can stick all the creative players on at once.... But if no one is making the correct runs and movement then it's pointless! Lamela gives us the runs we expect Moura to be doing.

 

[spursbhoy67]

Forget Liverpool's on field performances, look at what they have done off the field.

They have spent money big and wisely for the most part, but now have a group of young players coming through playing to the same system.

The key signings for me are the likes of Robertson, Henderson and Wijnaldum from relegated clubs, a leader in Milner who might have been a free and then an early signing done on the quiet in Minamino.

We need to trust one or two of younger players, Parrot needs a chance to play like two of his international teammates have done at Norwich and Southampton recently. He is a better player than both.

We need to identify good players who may go down this year and get them signed in the summer ahead of the pack.

The most important signing may be a competent sports scientist because we look off the pace and lacking physically.

 

[JimmyG2]

Away from home
to an in form side
this was not such
a bad perf.......

No sorry,
I can't go through
with this line of thought.
with a straight face.

 

[glacierSpurs]

Why the fuck have we been starting games at a pedestrian pace for over a year now.

Surely it's mentality and getttng them up more for it...


Seriously beginning to piss me off.

Play with more intensity from the start. It's not rocket science.

Getting away with it for months on end.

For many games recently from the first minute you can see the commitment of the lads already, like they don't wish to play at all. For them to get tens and hundreds of thousands a week with such mentality towards their jobs. Fucking hell. Shameful.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

It's going to take time. People are going to have to be patient.

I think that's debatable, Poch came into the Club and immediately established a style of play. With a much worse squad than this.

Nobody is too old, nobody is burnt out.

Let's say it as it is, Jose has been poor so far.

 

[glacierSpurs]

I think that's debatable, Poch came into the Club and immediately established a style of play. With a much worse squad than this.

Nobody is too old, nobody is burnt out.

Let's say it as it is, Jose has been poor so far.

Poch style only came about from the season when he had a full pre-season before.

 

[Metalhead]

I think that's debatable, Poch came into the Club and immediately established a style of play. With a much worse squad than this.

Nobody is too old, nobody is burnt out.

Let's say it as it is, Jose has been poor so far.

Poch didn't have it all go his way immediately though - there were ups and downs and tbf, Jose has only been here a couple of months. Nobody is too old - well Verts isn't exactly the future but there is clearly an issue with the current team that has carried over from the Poch era. We do need some new blood - whether you agree or not, that does seem the general concensus judging by the comments on here. I'm not a Jose fanboy but he's here now. He needs time and Levy will give him time.

 

[muppetman]

I think that's debatable, Poch came into the Club and immediately established a style of play. With a much worse squad than this.

Nobody is too old, nobody is burnt out.

Let's say it as it is, Jose has been poor so far.

What I cannot understand is, if the team needs rebuilding and we didn't expect a quick fix then why not back Poch?

We were told that the players weren't putting in the effort and commitment but it's not hugely better now is it? Jan jogging, Eriksen wandering about, players shouting at each other and waving their arms about when it's not going well. A real lack of effort, drive, commitment and battle - not to mention bottle - we are regularly getting outworked by "lesser" teams. The one thing I thought Jose would do is light a fire under their arses and get them fighting again!

Doesn't matter as Jose is here now but he faces all the same challenges Poch did, will Levy pony up what's required because I don't see him getting much out of the current squad.