Southampton Vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[talkshowhost86]

i don't know what falque has done to hurt your feelings but this is a little harsh.

He's not really done anything which is exactly the point. I suppose that at least unlike Dos Santos he hasn't proved himself to be useless every time he played, but for people to be talking about him playing instead of Lennon is ludicrous.

The short-termism of some fans is frankly alarming.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

He's not really done anything which is exactly the point. I suppose that at least unlike Dos Santos he hasn't proved himself to be useless every time he played, but for people to be talking about him playing instead of Lennon is ludicrous.

The short-termism of some fans is frankly alarming.

I think you look at the people that are posting it and it probably explains it though...

 

[nightgoat]

^^

Will never forget that game

Unfortunately I also remember the last time we played Southampton in the FA Cup.

 

[mpickard2087]

Im sorry but have seen nothing from Sigurdsson or Dempsey to be even remotely impressed. I'd be happy to see one of Falque/Ceballos/Mason/Carroll/Pritchard being given a chance to show what they can do. Lets face it they cant contribute less than what we have seen from the other two so far.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Im sorry but have seen nothing from Sigurdsson or Dempsey to be even remotely impressed. I'd be happy to see one of Falque/Ceballos/Mason/Carroll/Pritchard being given a chance to show what they can do. Lets face it they cant contribute less than what we have seen from the other two so far.

*facepalm*

 

[mpickard2087]

*facepalm*

Facepalm away... I just dont think they fit into our team in a position where we are expecting a bit of guile and invention. One of the others may step up to the plate.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Facepalm away... I just dont think they fit into our team in a position where we are expecting a bit of guile and invention. One of the others may step up to the plate.

We had one of the best 'off the front man' players in the world last season, but even he wouldn't have been able to play off a front man like Defoe.

If we continue to play what is effectively a 4-5-1 with a striker who can't bring any of the midfield into play then those behind the strikers will look poor. That is particularly the case with the man playing behind the striker (i.e. Sigurdsson or Dempsey).

To suggest they are to blame for our problems, and to suggest any unproven youngsters would change things, is missing the point entirely.

 

[nightgoat]

Im sorry but have seen nothing from Sigurdsson or Dempsey to be even remotely impressed. I'd be happy to see one of Falque/Ceballos/Mason/Carroll/Pritchard being given a chance to show what they can do. Lets face it they cant contribute less than what we have seen from the other two so far.

What have you seen of Ceballos, Mason, Carroll and Pritchard this season to suggest they should make the starting line up?

 

[talkshowhost86]

What have you seen of Ceballos, Mason, Carroll and Pritchard this season to suggest they should make the starting line up?

I agree with you on Mason, Carroll and Pritchard, but Ceballos surely has a foreign enough name to suggest he'll be absolutely fucking awesome.

 

[Spurger King]

We had one of the best 'off the front man' players in the world last season, but even he wouldn't have been able to play off a front man like Defoe.

If we continue to play what is effectively a 4-5-1 who can't bring any of the midfield into play then those behind the strikers will look poor. That is particularly the case with the man playing behind the striker (i.e. Sigurdsson or Dempsey).

To suggest they are to blame for our problems, and to suggest any unproven youngsters would change things, is missing the point entirely.

This. Defoe is scoring, so I can sort of understand why AVB is unwilling to drop him, but it's at the detriment of our attacking play in general. If AVB is going to persist with Defoe he should really be playing him alongside Adebayor (even though I'm not a fan of 4-4-2), as whoever plays behind Defoe in a 4-5-1 is effectively cast adrift anyway.

With Adebayor's hold-up play I'd hope to see a lot more from Sig and/or Dempsey. Sig in particular is capable of making some smart runs, which is rendered redundant when the striker in front of him seemingly only knows how to do two things - turning and shooting.

 

[mpickard2087]

We had one of the best 'off the front man' players in the world last season, but even he wouldn't have been able to play off a front man like Defoe.

If we continue to play what is effectively a 4-5-1 who can't bring any of the midfield into play then those behind the strikers will look poor. That is particularly the case with the man playing behind the striker (i.e. Sigurdsson or Dempsey).

To suggest they are to blame for our problems, and to suggest any unproven youngsters would change things, is missing the point entirely.

I havent blamed them but that position is the one that is misfiring more than any right now (apart from RB, where I think Walker should also sit out tomorrow). You then go and pretty much blame Defoe for their woes, which may be a factor but hasnt stopped the other four Dembele, Sandro, Bale and Lennon from some good displays so shouldnt be used as an excuse for bad performances. Sigurdsson for example played exactly the same at Swansea, the stats showed he covered lots of ground but saw little of the ball, which is exactly how its

It wouldnt surprise me if whoever's picked goes and has a good game tomorrow and Im left with egg on my face, in fact I hope thats the case. Its just long term I dont think they are compatible or have the skillset for what I want out of a player in that No.10 position or what the team needs. Sigurdsson for example played exactly the same at Swansea, the stats showed he covered lots of ground but saw little of the ball, which is exactly how its been for us. So I'm not expecting to see any massive improvements to him dictating games for example.

I just think its not happening for either and they have had chances for now. Get them out of the firing line and give someone else an opportunity. Im not afraid to give a shot to a youngster.

 

[mpickard2087]

What have you seen of Ceballos, Mason, Carroll and Pritchard this season to suggest they should make the starting line up?

Its about it not happening for Sigurdsson and Dempsey. Take them out of the firing line and give the next in line a chance.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I havent blamed them but that position is the one that is misfiring more than any right now (apart from RB, where I think Walker should also sit out tomorrow). You then go and pretty much blame Defoe for their woes, which may be a factor but hasnt stopped the other four Dembele, Sandro, Bale and Lennon from some good displays so shouldnt be used as an excuse for bad performances. Sigurdsson for example played exactly the same at Swansea, the stats showed he covered lots of ground but saw little of the ball, which is exactly how its

It wouldnt surprise me if whoever's picked goes and has a good game tomorrow and Im left with egg on my face, in fact I hope thats the case. Its just long term I dont think they are compatible or have the skillset for what I want out of a player in that No.10 position or what the team needs. Sigurdsson for example played exactly the same at Swansea, the stats showed he covered lots of ground but saw little of the ball, which is exactly how its been for us. So I'm not expecting to see any massive improvements to him dictating games for example.

I just think its not happening for either and they have had chances for now. Get them out of the firing line and give someone else an opportunity. Im not afraid to give a shot to a youngster.

I just think you're entirely misunderstanding the role that Sigurdsson/Dempsey are being asked to play. Yes they are being asked to do more than just score goals/get assists, but either way that role largely depends on the striker bringing them into the game.

Bale and Lennon will get the ball from other areas of the pitch, but in that central role behind the striker, you rely on the striker. Our current striker is good at putting it in the net, but not good at playing with any other team members. Whoever plays behind him suffers as a result of that and it'll be the same whether it's Sigurdsson, Dempsey, Ceballos, Pritchard etc etc.

 

[mpickard2087]

I just think you're entirely misunderstanding the role that Sigurdsson/Dempsey are being asked to play. Yes they are being asked to do more than just score goals/get assists, but either way that role largely depends on the striker bringing them into the game.

Bale and Lennon will get the ball from other areas of the pitch, but in that central role behind the striker, you rely on the striker. Our current striker is good at putting it in the net, but not good at playing with any other team members. Whoever plays behind him suffers as a result of that and it'll be the same whether it's Sigurdsson, Dempsey, Ceballos, Pritchard etc etc.

I think its too simplistic to just say its because of Defoe. Im not disputing that his link up play is a massive issue but they arent seeing enough of the ball or getting involved nearly enough in games, they arent finding pockets of space to receive it and use it. Thats not just when Defoe has it, its with the other 10 players as well and is why I dont think they have the skillset and unfortunately will be a long term success in the position, and this is what im concerned about and where Im coming from with these posts. Dempsey's versatility may prove useful if he can show us more from a wide position or a striker. Sigurdsson I dont know... if we got a playmaker in then he'd probably do well in a box to box role with more freedom, but we have Dembele who is a box-to-box player already.

Anyway we wont agree I imagine. Lets just hope that whoever gets the nod puts in a good display and it goes towards another three points for us tomorrow

 

[talkshowhost86]

I think its too simplistic to just say its because of Defoe. Im not disputing that his link up play is a massive issue but they arent seeing enough of the ball or getting involved nearly enough in games, they arent finding pockets of space to receive it and use it. Thats not just when Defoe has it, its with the other 10 players as well and is why I dont think they have the skillset and unfortunately will be a long term success in the position, and this is what im concerned about and where Im coming from with these posts. Dempsey's versatility may prove useful if he can show us more from a wide position or a striker. Sigurdsson I dont know... if we got a playmaker in then he'd probably do well in a box to box role with more freedom, but we have Dembele who is a box-to-box player already.

Anyway we wont agree I imagine. Lets just hope that whoever gets the nod puts in a good display and it goes towards another three points for us tomorrow

Obviously 100% agree with this, and for me if Defoe starts Dempsey is the better option.

And yes I agree with you that that role isn't entirely dependent on Defoe. I'd obviously like to see Sigurdsson or Dempsey providing more linkup play and more creativity when they get the ball, and I think we've definitely lost quality in that area having lost VdV.

But we must have signed both players with the knowledge that they can play very well off a lone front man who can hold the ball up. Both have proved that they are capable of goals galore in that position, but we haven't given them the system that works for their skills.

So for me we either need to replace Defoe with Adebayor, or completely change the system (which may result in neither of them being in the team). I genuinely think that if we start playing Adebayor this team will be very hard to beat (with either Dempsey or Sigurdsson) but unfortunately I don't think our manager agrees.

 

[Mr Pink]

Sig and Dempsey shouldn't be truly judged until we see them getting a run of games playing behind Ade. You could see Sig becoming a lot more lively when Ade came on against Villa and I think Dempsey has found it particularly frustrating - hence his comments that Ade is such a selfless player etc...they were pointed comments for sure.

If Defoe remains first choice its to the detriment of others IMO, and ultimately our overall effectiveness as a side despite his decent form and somewhat improved game - it doesn't compensate fully for the comprised team dynamic.

I do think Defoe has done well overall though, and his second half performance against Chelsea was superb. I just hope AVB is being cautious with Ade.

 

[jonathanhotspur]

VDV and Defoe didn't combine well but I don't think VDV ever had to rely on Defoe to get himself into a game. He was good enough to do that all on his own.

 

[mark87]

So how many people do you reckon are gonna get to today's game an hour earlier than they had planned?

 

[elDiablo]

1st:

Tottenham have lost on their last six visits to Southampton, failing to score in all six.

Where's the Rocket when you need him!!

 

[MattyP]

So how many people do you reckon are gonna get to today's game an hour earlier than they had planned?

As in the last week I have been in Hong Kong, Manila and Abu Dhabi I left the travel arrangements for today's game to a mate!

11:35 train is booked.