Match Threads Spurs vs Galatasaray

[Yiddo100]

I’d argue that accepting this defeat and that Gala are a difficult team etc is the opposite tough. It’s typical roll over and have your tummy tickled Spurs.

Or it’s people realising that with
injuries all over the field, our squad being knackered and 3 teenagers playing away at 1 of the toughest atmospheres in Europe, being the second best team on the day isn’t the end of the world, it happens.

We’ve won 3 out of 4 in Europe, QF in a cup and a win on Sunday puts us in a good position in the league.

 

[rossdapep]

Some people will criticise absolutely everything won't they?
Lankshear
Ange
Porro
Bergvall


Doesn't matter the circumstances, got to get that criticism in.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

If as a travelling fan you didn’t realise that would be the team then I feel sorry for their other halves having to live with a half wit.

Dead right. We’ve played half a team every game..

 

[SA_Spurs]

This wasn't one of those games like Palace where we were getting bullied physically in midfield, we just couldn't hold the ball and get the confidence to play as a unit. Bergval is far too lightweight to play in a midfield 3 alongside Maddison, that system works with someone like Kulu. They're playing in front of a make-shift defence with an academy kid up front.

All that needed to happen was take Bergval off for Bentacur who was exactly the player we needed with all the space around the pitch. Then perhaps Lankshear off to give more of a focal point. Either for directly for Solanke or for Kulusevski. Kulu can play up front or just move Maddison to the let. You've then got lots of subs left for later in the game as they tire.

Instead after picking a very poorly thought through line up, Ange gets the right players on but takes of Johnson and Son. It's a massive wide open pitch where runners can hurt them and we lose our fast wide players, with no replacements left on the bench. Unless someone was injured that was tactically poor.

The people laughing at over-reactions about Ange's tactical management aren't a million miles better than people writing off the likes of Bergvall on one performance. It was tactically shoddy and resulted in an exhausting game for zero points. He got it right getting Solanke on but at that point he'd already fucked it and was arguably late even on that sub.

why do fans want to call out ange for his tactical acumen? I agree our midfield was weak - but it was our defence & GK that put us under pressure from the start of the game & that then forced our midfield to retreat. Bergvall played closer to our goal than the middle of the pitch, same with madders! Do you think Ange set them up to play that way? Forster clearly made davies & Dragu nervous as shit with his poor kicking & it impacted the entire team who then couldn't make more than 3 consecutive passes

Do you not think that Ange is looking at other metrics when selecting the side? like rest, minutes played, injuries, fixtures. It would have been easy for Ange to select the same team that played Villa ...but its clear he is trying to do multiple things - 1) manage players rest/recovery/fatigue, 2) give minutes to squad players so they stay fresh through the season and ready to play & 3) keep the playing style no matter the players

Ange's tactics are a function of the squad we have & the circumstances right now. If the game stayed tight - I bet he wouldn't have brought on solanke or deki. Also, he wouldn't have left Biss out there to run himself into the ground

 

[Westmorlandspur]

I think they will shift Biss in the summer and Gray will replace him . Cannot keep him at full back after this season. Far too talented.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

I dunno, I quite enjoyed that. This league thing makes most of the games feel like preseason games with rivals. Results? Who cares?

Having said that, I’d quite like to see us kick the shit out of them next time…

 

[ronzalo]

For sure it’s a good time for big picture thinking but it doesn’t excuse some of the individual performances. 3-2 was very flattering. Dragusin looks anything but a ball-playing centre back. He’s also got a worrying nack of heading the ball to opposition players. Perhaps both are related to a lack of composure. It’s deceptive he’s 22 so maybe he can work on it.

On to Sunday great to see Solanke get another goal.

 

[bubble07]

Was only able to watch last 10 plus injury time. I'm weirdly positive just on that showing. We looked the better team

 

[SA_Spurs]

I think they will shift Biss in the summer and Gray will replace him . Cannot keep him at full back after this season. Far too talented.

Biss had a mega game today - no way we sell him to replace him with Gray! If we did, then that's the definition of negligence as Gray, whilst super talented, is not ready to play every game with the kind of consistency we will need if we want to compete for trophies / titles

 

[coys63]

This wasn't one of those games like Palace where we were getting bullied physically in midfield, we just couldn't hold the ball and get the confidence to play as a unit. Bergval is far too lightweight to play in a midfield 3 alongside Maddison, that system works with someone like Kulu. They're playing in front of a make-shift defence with an academy kid up front.

All that needed to happen was take Bergval off for Bentacur who was exactly the player we needed with all the space around the pitch. Then perhaps Lankshear off to give more of a focal point. Either for directly for Solanke or for Kulusevski. Kulu can play up front or just move Maddison to the let. You've then got lots of subs left for later in the game as they tire.

Instead after picking a very poorly thought through line up, Ange gets the right players on but takes off Johnson and Son. It's a massive wide open pitch where runners can hurt them and we lose our fast wide players, with no replacements left on the bench. Unless someone was injured that was tactically poor.

The people laughing at over-reactions about Ange's tactical management aren't a million miles better than people writing off the likes of Bergvall on one performance. It was tactically shoddy and resulted in an exhausting game for zero points. He got it right getting Solanke on but at that point he'd already fucked it and was arguably late even on that sub.

There is no way in hell we don't finish top 8. So player game time management re minutes, rest, potential injuries, and giving young payers experience is required. And we have a fair few injuries already.

 

[Mr Pink]

Would of been tough full strength, let alone half strength blooding youngsters.

Not to mention the rhythm you loose with lots of changes.

Was a tough night all round, and yea Dragusin will want to forgot this one sharpish. Just hope it doesnt affect him because he was good against Villa.

 

[KirstyG]

Was only able to watch last 10 plus injury time. I'm weirdly positive just on that showing. We looked the better team

Lols i’d not watch any highlights then

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Ange's tactics are a function of the squad we have & the circumstances right now. If the game stayed tight - I bet he wouldn't have brought on solanke or deki. Also, he wouldn't have left Biss out there to run himself into the ground

That’s just complete bollocks though. By his own words, his teams will play his way no matter what. That’s what I and others rail against.

 

[matty74]

Bentancar needs to be back in the side on a more regular basis weather it’s a 6,8 or even a 10 . To good a footballer not to be . Looks back to somewhere near his best over the last few games

 

[idontgetit]

why do fans want to call out ange for his tactical acumen? I agree our midfield was weak - but it was our defence & GK that put us under pressure from the start of the game & that then forced our midfield to retreat. Bergvall played closer to our goal than the middle of the pitch, same with madders! Do you think Ange set them up to play that way? Forster clearly made davies & Dragu nervous as shit with his poor kicking & it impacted the entire team who then couldn't make more than 3 consecutive passes

Do you not think that Ange is looking at other metrics when selecting the side? like rest, minutes played, injuries, fixtures. It would have been easy for Ange to select the same team that played Villa ...but its clear he is trying to do multiple things - 1) manage players rest/recovery/fatigue, 2) give minutes to squad players so they stay fresh through the season and ready to play & 3) keep the playing style no matter the players

Ange's tactics are a function of the squad we have & the circumstances right now. If the game stayed tight - I bet he wouldn't have brought on solanke or deki. Also, he wouldn't have left Biss out there to run himself into the ground

The makeshift defence away from home in an inferno like that, against a side in red hot form, were always going to be under pressure. Even if they played well.

The way we as team in this system relieve pressure is by playing on the turn in the middle of the pitch and stinging the other side. When we do that it gives us confidence on the ball and breaks the confidence of the opposition press. Bergval was off the pace, in the wrong place and couldn't link things up. He's not enough of a presence to make up for it off the ball in the way some others can. It was evident very early on it wasn't the game for him and we needed Bentacur on the pitch.

We always looked, despite being a mess at the back, like we could blast 3-4 goals past them. All we needed to do was get our foot on the ball in the middle, then turn that into a few stinging attacks to take the pressure off. We'd then have the opportunity to blow them away as we got more of a grip on it. Instead we took off the players who provide the sting.

So we get the right players on, but the wrong players off. I'm completely lost as to how this one is even controversial. It was bad decision making at the start of the game, compounded in the game.

 

[oobaties]

But what do you want Ange to do?

We have players dropping down like flies and if Ange selects Bentancur or Sarr, then there's a chance they get injured.

Udogie is our only proper LB option and has played so many minutes.

Bergvall is young and learning but also needs exposure. If you don;t play him now, when do you?

Careful, or you’ll get banned for sharing sensible arguments on the match thread.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Felt like one of those games where injuries and lack of adequate depth in certain areas just took its toll. Certainly an element of youth being understandably over awed by the occasion mixed in as well.

Yes there were some poor performances but I also think it will have been a valuable experience. On another night I’m fairly sure we could have smashed them. Still I shan’t be loosing any sleep over it nor do i feel the need to be too critical of Ange or the team as a whole.

 

[SA_Spurs]

That’s just complete bollocks though. By his own words, his teams will play his way no matter what. That’s what I and others rail against.

right, what's bollocks is you confusing tactics with performance. if he indeed asked the players to play the same way but the players he selected performed poorly then why blame his tactics? Didn't see you blame his tactics on Sunday when we thumped villa? Just want to rail against something?

 

[rossdapep]

Put it this way, if we meet them in the quarters, I am certain we knock them out.

 

[Yiddo100]

Put it this way, if we meet them in the quarters, I am certain we knock them out.

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