Match Threads Spurs vs Aston Villa - Day 13

[rossdapep]

Anyone saying that defeat was not annoying today is wrong. Taken the lead again, missed countless chances again, conceded deep into first half stoppage time, disallowed goals for offside.

You can lament your luck all you like but none of that is bad luck.

Its not acceptable and anyone who thinks it is has the same mentality that has been wrong with this club for years.

Woe is me does not win you trophies.

Disagree with that last line to an extent.

- Complain abotu amount of games.
- Complain about fouls and refs.
- Complain about VAR.
- Complain about weather.
- Complain about City being able to spend 60m on defenders.
- Complain about kick off times.

Liverpool play victims all the time and it actually helps them.

 

[rossdapep]

I thought we were great today in terms of performance but simply didn't finish our chances. That's not been the case of the season regarding our finishing but I'm over the moon how much Ange got out of what was available to him. Decisions went against us and Matt Cash once again injured one of our players with a reckless tackle. I'm hoping Bentancur is alright and it was more precautionary because there was a lot of build on from today. Gill I thought was good save the unfortunate pass back that led to the events of their equaliser. I thought Lo Celso though was superb and grew into a tremendous performance. Fingers crossed for Bissouma, Lo Celso and Bentancur next week.

Regarding the defence, it is what it is, we knew we needed signings, my preference still is to risk Phillips but the opportunity may have gone now.

He was really unlucky because minutes before that he had Bentancur to look for who can play under pressure.

He realised he got himself into trouble by coming inside as Bentancur was no longer there. Then had to try find another solution.

Experienced player may have twigged on immediately.

 

[coys761]

Anyone saying that defeat was not annoying today is wrong. Taken the lead again, missed countless chances again, conceded deep into first half stoppage time, disallowed goals for offside.

You can lament your luck all you like but none of that is bad luck.

Its not acceptable and anyone who thinks it is has the same mentality that has been wrong with this club for years.

Woe is me does not win you trophies.

it's time to put an end to the whining. Ange is steering us in the right direction, and the team's performance showcased significant positives. Instead of spreading negativity, let's rally behind the process, support our players, and keep the faith.
Even my 11-year-old son, who usually takes defeats to heart, remains unfazed after the loss. He's all about trusting Ange and the process. His take? With Harry, we would have secured a 2 or 3-goal lead. Let's adopt his optimism, leave the disappointment behind, and continue supporting the team and Ange through thick and thin.

 

[DenverSpur]

Well I thought the team selection was inspired and we completely dominated while Bentancur was on the pitch. That horrible foul from Cash and seeing Bentancur having to go off was just sickening in the context of his long recovery and it clearly affected the players. We still created so many chances though and should have won that comfortably despite inevitably conceding a couple.

The goal is clearly to score more rather than concede less and we were so close again. Those little touches in the final third are the hardest thing to gel, especially when players who are not used to each other. It will come

I am still so excited about where this manager is going to take us. The only game I didn't enjoy was Wolves because that felt like a giant step backwards. Today once again feels like we are back on the path. Villa are supposedly our direct competitors this season, but we'll be leaving them in our wake soon enough under Ange

Brilliant post! Right in the money

 

[rossdapep]

If we’d taken our chances in the first have this discussion would be academic.

And it is exactly why Ange shouldnt change.

Up until the Chelsea game Romero and VdV had been a huge reason why we were winning points because they were alloing the attacking players to play with assurance with them behind them.

If the message changes from "We will never stop" to "Guys, we need to pick our moments more." What message does that send to the players?

Well it confuses players.
It makes replacements realise the coach doesn't trust them (like Conte).
The result is the same as today = defeat.

Yet you sacrfice your beliefs for no gain and end up pissing players off you need to rely on.

We all said this season would be up and down.

We have to support the 'downs' and realise the bigger picture.

 

[Trix]

If we’d taken our chances in the first have this discussion would be academic.

Would it? Football doesn't work like that. If we score one of those chances the game changes and Villa adopt a different approach.

Again I'm not criticising his willingness to keep playing this way. Just that I don't see the point in keep playing players that definitely don't fit and we are looking to move on, over academy players who, according to all the club statements when Ange was appointed would be one of his priorities. It was according to DL one of the main reasons he was appointed.

I don't think it was 'brave' to bring Skipp on for Gio when we were 2-1 down, In fact I think it's exactly what Conte would have done.

 

[DenverSpur]

Agree for the most part but Ange green-lit the sale of Sanchez who, for all his faults, is fast and *at least* suited to playing in a high line.

Yes it’s easy to heap the blame on Levy but we don’t know what input Postecoglou had. He may not have been happy with some of the CBs we were willing to buy.

 

[rossdapep]

Well I thought the team selection was inspired and we completely dominated while Bentancur was on the pitch. That horrible foul from Cash and seeing Bentancur having to go off was just sickening in the context of his long recovery and it clearly affected the players. We still created so many chances though and should have won that comfortably despite inevitably conceding a couple.

The goal is clearly to score more rather than concede less and we were so close again. Those little touches in the final third are the hardest thing to gel, especially when players who are not used to each other. It will come

I am still so excited about where this manager is going to take us. The only game I didn't enjoy was Wolves because that felt like a giant step backwards. Today once again feels like we are back on the path. Villa are supposedly our direct competitors this season, but we'll be leaving them in our wake soon enough under Ange

Yeah exactly.

I liked the selection. Would have been 'safer' to start Hojbjerg instead of either Gil or Lo celso, who were both making their first starts this season - so too Bentancur.

Yet we bossed the middle.

Villa knew exactly what they were doing. Take out the influential player we can't deal with who has just come back from a big injury.

Scum.

That was their tactic. To just stick one on a team who were already depleted team.

Why?

Because they know we are an excellent team and are hard to stop so use the dark arts to overcome it.

In the long run we will be better off and a little more depth and luck and Villa wouldn't have coped.

 

[Gb160]

Turning point for me was Rodders coming off. Completely changed the game.
So bloody frustrating, it never rains huh?
He and Gio were running the game until then. Yeah we were always going to be iffy at the back with those CBs, but if Rodders stays on we win that game 9 times out of 10.

 

[wrd]

He was really unlucky because minutes before that he had Bentancur to look for who can play under pressure.

He realised he got himself into trouble by coming inside as Bentancur was no longer there. Then had to try find another solution.

Experienced player may have twigged on immediately.

I appreciate that kind of analysis of it, I was really encouraged by his performance, I hope he stays in the team personally. I think he offers something critically important to the team.

 

[thehipster]

Let's take a step back and remember why we're on this journey with Ange. Just because we had a solid run of 10 unbeaten doesn't automatically make us title contenders.

Today's match showcased a few shortcomings, but that doesn't mean the process under Ange is flawed. We're building something here, and setbacks are part of the game. It's easy to get carried away when things are going well, but let's not forget the bigger picture.

Ange is instilling a style of play that, on another day, could have easily translated into a victory against Villa. We've seen glimpses of brilliance and the potential for more. Trusting the process means understanding that progress doesn't always follow a straight line.

So, despite the disappointment of today's result, let's stay patient and back Ange. It's about building a sustainable foundation for success, not just short-term glory. Our time will come, and in the meantime, let's stand by our team and trust in the process.

In the past, my 11-year-old son was devastated after losses, but with Ange at the helm, he's learning to trust the process. There's a newfound optimism that goes beyond the scoreline. We're standing by our team and embracing the journey under Ange's guidance. COYS

Great words. And a good summary.
There are people on here, like Trix, who keep implying he’s done something wrong.
He hasn’t. In fact he’s done everything as he should/could.
If you give players alternative playing styles and objectives, they lose that full commitment.
Whereas if you make it known early on that we are committed to scoring goals, passing the ball freely and playing a full match with attacking impetus….then that becomes the new DNA. And in time, will elevate us above all others.
It’s crystal clear, laser-focused objectives.
As clear as night and day.
Everyone knows the target, at all times.
And for football players, that’s simple, easy to buy-in-to, and very liberating.

But, it takes ENORMOUS COURAGE to install because most fans want instant success - fans constantly want to be proved ‘right’ thereby making somebody else ‘wrong’.
But if you can bin the irrational urges of your ego/identity - then you realise there is no right and wrong.
There is just a journey that we’re all on. And if everyone can trust, show faith….and project confidence on to this squad and management….and give them the FREEDOM to expand and evolve as new players under Ange, then we have a real opportunity of winning things.

Some fans would have written off the likes of Le Celso, Gill, Kulu, Romero, Royal, Porro etc. But these are players that are being encouraged to exceed their own expectations and limitations. To grow beyond the expectations of some fans.
And yes, we can recruit even better players in each window. But with what we’ve got, we’re doing fine.

Ange is elevating the whole way we see and play football.
Anyone thinking this is done without blips is deluded.
It’s the blips that provide the opportunity for further growth.

 

[VoteMe4Prez]

Yeah exactly.

I liked the selection. Would have been 'safer' to start Hojbjerg instead of either Gil or Lo celso, who were both making their first starts this season - so too Bentancur.

Yet we bossed the middle.

Villa knew exactly what they were doing. Take out the influential player we can't deal with who has just come back from a big injury.

Scum.

That was their tactic. To just stick one on a team who were already depleted team.

Why?

Because they know we are an excellent team and are hard to stop so use the dark arts to overcome it.

In the long run we will be better off and a little more depth and luck and Villa wouldn't have coped.

Their tactics were absolutely disgusting. They couldn't lay a finger on us until Cash deliberately took Bents out and then we lost the advantage. Should still have been out of sight early on, so on the whole a frustrating performance after he went off. We owe Villa a crushing at Villa Park

 

[SonicSarr]

It's all good. With a full first team we win all of those last 3. Now we are back under the radar until we get strong again. Can't fault that performance. Should have won anyway.

 

[Oscar22]

But you’re not a top manager are you?
You‘re not a strength and conditioning expert are you?
You have no daily insight into the preparations for this season, let alone this game….have you?

I’m not trying to belittle you. Rather offer up an alternative perspective.
We’re losing players left, right and centre to injuries.
90% of all injuries come from being overplayed and creating weaknesses around our bodies, that then become a tackle or over-stretch away from a longer-term issue.
Ange will have the stats. He’ll know how each player is with their individual fitness and current capacity.
And Ange also knows he’s here for a number of years.

He’s wise and not myopic. He sees the wider picture and long game.
You’re probably on your sofa or with your mates, wanting instant satisfaction in this moment.
That’s not what long term success is built upon.

Whether or not Gill could have continued, and then could have played the next 4-5 consecutive games without injury is something we’ll never know. But I trust Ange.
I reckon he’s got our players welfare and long term fitness at heart. I reckon he wants sustained success.
What I don’t reckon is that he’s going to make short term decisions to appease a few frustrated fans.

Strap yourself in for a long term rollercoaster ride. Don’t get fixated on the first peak and then dip.
Have faith. Have trust.
If it all pans out as I think it might, in 2 seasons time we’ll be hailing all previous decisions and any pockets of pain.
It’s a journey, embrace it all. Rough and smooth.

It’s a weird post this, I mean firstly to set out wording it in such a belittling way before putting in a token “I’m not trying to belittle you but…”

More than that though it’s a weird post because you seem to answer a question you wanted to rather than the thought I actually posted.

So I never once said I knew better than Ange, nor that I’m a top manager… nor that I’m wise… nor any of the other bits you put in the bit where you weren’t trying to belittle me… but were doing so anyway.

What I said, as bizarre as it is to say, because I didn’t see it as unclear the first time, was that I would love to know the thinking behind the Skipp substitution. We were chasing the game and it felt like an odd change because I didn’t feel like Skipp added anything we needed at that time. I did say that if it was a car of just fresh legs then he could have added literally any sub, however if he uses Donley/Veliz at that point at least it would be fresh legs with attacking intent because of the way in which they play. Skipp for me, doesn’t have a stand out skill that you look at with the score as it was and clearly identify something that makes it better for us.

It was a fair enough thing to say that I would love to understand the thinking behind it. I still would.

A patronising, belittling post telling me I’m not a manager doesn’t change that, and it also renders a forum discussion rather pointless to basically go along the lines of “well you aren’t Ange” no, I’m well aware I’m not a very well off premier league manager, I am however a fan on a message board who is well within his rights to say “I’d love to know what the thinking behind that sub was”.

Bizarre. Reread your own post and consider what you tried to correct, as opposed to how much of it I actually suggested in the first place.

 

[Jay.]

Trouble is that this club always seems to be on a bloody journey or a re build or in midst of injury crisis or missing one or two key players or not invested in.

It’s always ifs and buts and maybes.

You can be happy with that if you like but it’s not a demand to win mentality.

 

[teddy1066]

We played some lovely football today. Some of the passing in the first half was as good as we have seen in years. My cup is half full. Two good windows and under this manager we will be a hell of a side next season

 

[muppetman]

Frustrating day but lots to be pleased and excited about as well.

If it does actually click, then we will absolutely batter some teams.

 

[14/04/91]

Would it? Football doesn't work like that. If we score one of those chances the game changes and Villa adopt a different approach.

Again I'm not criticising his willingness to keep playing this way. Just that I don't see the point in keep playing players that definitely don't fit and we are looking to move on, over academy players who, according to all the club statements when Ange was appointed would be one of his priorities. It was according to DL one of the main reasons he was appointed.

I don't think it was 'brave' to bring Skipp on for Gio when we were 2-1 down, In fact I think it's exactly what Conte would have done.

I don’t see who you’re aiming this at. Out of the starting XI, the centre halves were clearly not first choice but I’d argue that is the one position to be careful in terms of playing youth.
Notwithstanding the fact Phillips is injured, would it be wise to throw, say, Dorrington in alongside Davies or Royal?? That could really damage a youngster’s confidence were we to get humped or a couple of errors are made, especially with the amount of other 1st team players missing.
As I said in a previous post, I think he was already brave in jettisoning Dier & Hojbjerg, two seniors who clearly don’t fit. I don’t think Ange can do any more right now.

 

[mattstev2000]

Really hope bentancur doesn't have another serious injury. Still think he's one of our best players when he's on form.

 

[coys761]

Trouble is that this club always seems to be on a bloody journey or a re build or in midst of injury crisis or missing one or two key players or not invested in.

It’s always ifs and buts and maybes.

You can be happy with that if you like but it’s not a demand to win mentality.

Ohh, honestly give me a break…that’s exactly the kind of things Harry justified his move and it’s an absolutely ridiculous take on the situation.

Harry Kane takes a swipe at Tottenham as he says 'it wasn't a disaster' if Spurs didn't win before hailing the 'top club mentality' at Bayern Munich and the pressure to dominate.​

Remember ?

So, we hit a bump against Villa, and yeah, it stings. But here's the thing – we're on a wild ride with Ange, and it's shaping up to be one heck of a journey.

Wins and losses, it's all part of the game. Ange is stirring things up, trying to craft our unique style, and it's a bit of a rollercoaster – thrilling and, let's admit it, a tad nerve-wracking.

We can't win 'em all, but isn't that what makes the victories so darn special? Losses hurt, but let's not lose sight of the big picture. Our squad is evolving, our play is changing, and yeah, it's messy. But hey, life's messy too, right?

Ange is working his magic, and change is a bumpy road. It's like binge-watching your favorite series – some episodes are confusing, but you know they're setting the stage for something epic.

So, take a deep breath, ride the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being a Spurs fan, and cut our team some slack. We're in this together, through the highs and lows. Trust me, the best stories have twists and turns.

Cheer loud, stay passionate, and let's believe in the Ange process. Our time will come, and when it does, it'll be a celebration worth every heartache.