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Match Threads Spurs vs Sheffield United - Match Thread

Match Prediction

  • Spurs Win

    Votes: 84 77.1%
  • Sheffield United Win

    Votes: 5 4.6%
  • Score Draw

    Votes: 18 16.5%
  • Goal-less Draw

    Votes: 2 1.8%

  • Total voters
    109
  • Poll closed .

ralphs bald spot

Well-Known Member
Jul 14, 2015
2,777
5,177
I have read some rubbish on this site, but this one takes the biscuit. Blaming Sissoko for our poor form and Poch's mismanagement of the games and players is just crap.

I think that Sissoko has done well and does ok breaking things up but the man is right that he offers nothing going forward and is not really the sort of player who sits in midfield who you can build you defensive unit around . He really isn't a good enough footballer which is endemic that he has become one of the first names on the team sheet for a while now. Much as I think you have to admire the man for his effort what really does he bring to the side in a game like yesterdays?
 

Barrd10

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2013
756
1,183
I feel the team is being completely hamstrung by the continued selection of Sissoko in CM. I know it isn’t perfect but a midfield of Winks and NDombele desperately needs a go, I would even settle for Dier at this point and he has been terrible recently.

Sissoko just isn’t good enough on the ball to play there, and it massively hampers our ability to play out from the back and through the lines.

Don’t get me wrong, Sissoko has done a job and has improved but I would not be surprised if his run in CM has coincided with our poor form; I am not sure why Poch keeps persevering with him as the “undroppable” CM and rotating the others.

I am not attacking Sissoko, I have been impressed by his improvement, but he is just not good enough with the ball to be starting anywhere near CM.

Our ability to “pass out” dramatically improved with Winks as the main option instead of Sissoko and I feel he needs to give the Winks - NDombele duo more game time.

This appears for me to be a key issue that desperately needs addressing and I can’t fathom why Poch persists with him as part of our midfield.
And he is never injured.
 

SPURSLIFE

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2011
1,578
2,132
Sixty minutes’ worth of one of the most clinical finishing performances in the history of football aside, we’ve largely looked like ourselves in the CL whereas we’ve been completely turgid in league play. Red Star away is every bit as tricky a match as the likes of Newcastle, Brighton, Watford etc. but we’ve been completely dogshit in those matches. I don’t really understand it other than that the players’ mentality is shocking outside of the glamour matches.
"One the most clinical performances in the history of football" is stretching it a bit don't you think? Or maybe one of the worst defending performances is more like it.
 

Bulletspur

The Reasonable Advocate
Match Thread Admin
Oct 17, 2006
10,690
25,246
I think that Sissoko has done well and does ok breaking things up but the man is right that he offers nothing going forward and is not really the sort of player who sits in midfield who you can build you defensive unit around . He really isn't a good enough footballer which is endemic that he has become one of the first names on the team sheet for a while now. Much as I think you have to admire the man for his effort what really does he bring to the side in a game like yesterdays?
While I agree with your points, but our problems lie way beyond Sissoko's abilities as an average player. The original poster was implying it was because of him. For example, Sissoko does not pick the team or have any influence in our game management, where the crux of our problems lie.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
That is not just down to the manager player's need to find their self hunger and motivation.
Of course it’s down to the manager, his title gives it away. He is supposed to manage the team to perform to their maximum potential, provide them the training and the tactics. He oversees the game and the performance and is supposed to manage the full 90 minutes to ensure that the team performs in accordance with his direction. If he’s got that wrong initially then he is expected to change those tactics in order to gain an advantage. If certain players aren’t performing to their required level then he is expected to manage that by removing them and bringing in players who will.

Our manager is currently doing none of this and hasn’t been doing it for a while now. It’s patently evident that the players have lost all faith in him. One or two players underperforming I can understand, form can be like that. But when virtually the entire squad is underperforming, not just the first 11, then you have to look squarely at the manager.

When Trippier left he stated that there were problems behind the scenes, many thought it was sour grapes, but it appears there was far more weight to his words than first thought.

Having seen our performance levels drop off a Cliff, the ONLY conclusion that makes any sense to me is that the vast majority of this squad simply do not have any belief in Poch any more. The whole thing is reminiscent of the performances by Chelsea when they no longer wanted to play for Mourinho, for Sarri etc.

They no longer want to play for Pochettino is all I can see, so the sooner he is replaced the better for the club.

It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to say this, but the club comes first.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
even if you change the manager we would have to rebuild to his system would take years and at the end we probably loose our best players and end up in a worse position
I don’t agree with this at all. It took Pep 2 seasons, Lampard has his team playing dynamic Football in less than half a season, Rodgers has Leicester playing some quality Football in less than 2 seasons with just a few astute buys. Mourinho has done it on a regular basis.

We have a quality squad who need a few astute buys, belief and some structure. There are more than a few managers who could give them all of that and, I believe, turn this season around.
 

Bulletspur

The Reasonable Advocate
Match Thread Admin
Oct 17, 2006
10,690
25,246
imho Sissoko (or Poch for picking him) really is at the heart of our problems on the pitch. Once he's out of the starting XI all of the other performances will improve dramatically.
Okay, if you say so
 

Finchyid

Well-Known Member
Jun 27, 2017
3,769
11,975
I don’t agree with this at all. It took Pep 2 seasons, Lampard has his team playing dynamic Football in less than half a season, Rodgers has Leicester playing some quality Football in less than 2 seasons with just a few astute buys. Mourinho has done it on a regular basis.

We have a quality squad who need a few astute buys, belief and some structure. There are more than a few managers who could give them all of that and, I believe, turn this season around.

Allegri for one
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
14,566
19,651
Of course it’s down to the manager, his title gives it away. He is supposed to manage the team to perform to their maximum potential, provide them the training and the tactics. He oversees the game and the performance and is supposed to manage the full 90 minutes to ensure that the team performs in accordance with his direction. If he’s got that wrong initially then he is expected to change those tactics in order to gain an advantage. If certain players aren’t performing to their required level then he is expected to manage that by removing them and bringing in players who will.

Our manager is currently doing none of this and hasn’t been doing it for a while now. It’s patently evident that the players have lost all faith in him. One or two players underperforming I can understand, form can be like that. But when virtually the entire squad is underperforming, not just the first 11, then you have to look squarely at the manager.

When Trippier left he stated that there were problems behind the scenes, many thought it was sour grapes, but it appears there was far more weight to his words than first thought.

Having seen our performance levels drop off a Cliff, the ONLY conclusion that makes any sense to me is that the vast majority of this squad simply do not have any belief in Poch any more. The whole thing is reminiscent of the performances by Chelsea when they no longer wanted to play for Mourinho, for Sarri etc.

They no longer want to play for Pochettino is all I can see, so the sooner he is replaced the better for the club.

It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to say this, but the club comes first.
Yes sadly I agree he needs to be replaced and quickly before the situation gets worse.
 

paulcumpstone

Well-Known Member
Jul 17, 2008
8,781
10,892
Is no denying we have got progressively worst ever season since 16/17 for me. Both in terms of points/results/style of play and the press
 

TURKISH69

Well-Known Member
Jun 6, 2012
505
735
Just watched us play scintillating football beating Liverpool 4-0 Bale, VDV, Adebayor, Modric and Defoe deadly where has it gone so wrong. We then have Kane, Ali, Dembele, Son , Eriksen Etc a top class team how have a professional outfit let it go so wrong. Instead of adding a few players each season and evolving not buying in two transfer windows has cost us so much as we have become stagnant and lifeless, slow and the lethargic. Instead of pace, power and energy with high press. To say Daniel Levy has completely fucked one of the best teams Spurs have had he should resign. And for Poch not a winner, no winning mentality which means won nothing. How on earth has he won nothing with this team. Mourinho with this team in there prime would of won the premier league when Leicester won it, and would of defo would of won a trophy. As would any top manager!!! To say I’m heart broken is an understatement COYS
 

EZSpur

Well-Known Member
Jun 6, 2007
918
1,115
Having seen our performance levels drop off a Cliff, the ONLY conclusion that makes any sense to me is that the vast majority of this squad simply do not have any belief in Poch any more. The whole thing is reminiscent of the performances by Chelsea when they no longer wanted to play for Mourinho, for Sarri etc.

They no longer want to play for Pochettino is all I can see, so the sooner he is replaced the better for the club.

It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to say this, but the club comes first.

As much as it pains me to say it, this statement is bang on!
EVERY game i keep saying to myself 'this is the game where our season starts!' - but every time it's lifeless and such a shambles.
I just can't understand how a team with the players we have can suddenly just become so crap.

The fact that we could hardly string two passes together against Sheffield - more than often losing it completely or for it to go out for a throw, was just shocking.

I know it's probably still considered 'knee-jerk' but is no-one else concerned about how low we are in the table?

Oh what i'd give for a player like Lennon who used to actually run at players!
 

Sir Henry

Facts > Feelings
Aug 18, 2008
2,706
2,817
Poch coming out saying he needs to rebuild. He actually says he needs to rebuild lol. A CL final side that cannot beat the likes of brighton, newcastle, Shef Utd, Lester. If you say that, then you are saying those sides are now better than us. Complete utter shite.

This side is a top 4 side easily, now if you want to rebuild, you rebuild very slowly in order to compete for the title, a CL final side does not rebuild in order to beat fucking brighton in the space of a couple of months.

There is a mix of shite at this club, not all players are playing for him, and he's not got a clue how to change it apart from rebuild. Fuck me, get in whiskey nose as his number 2.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,390
As much as it pains me to say it, this statement is bang on!
EVERY game i keep saying to myself 'this is the game where our season starts!' - but every time it's lifeless and such a shambles.
I just can't understand how a team with the players we have can suddenly just become so crap.

The fact that we could hardly string two passes together against Sheffield - more than often losing it completely or for it to go out for a throw, was just shocking.

I know it's probably still considered 'knee-jerk' but is no-one else concerned about how low we are in the table?


Oh what i'd give for a player like Lennon who used to actually run at players!

Think it's been mentioned a couple of times.
 

heelspurs

Le filet mignon est un bastion de rosbif
Jul 25, 2012
4,270
5,105
t this rate he will be balancing the books in a relegation scrap!!!

I am friggin FUMMNG!

mega money for this F’ng load of shit, because our gaffa is shitting himself at home, going 5 at tgr back when he takes Dele off,
IDK what you're talking about but that was a good tactical approach and probably should have happened sooner, like before HT and made 'permanent' with a sub at HT. Moving GLC central and going 3 ATB was a sound approach to the lack of MF control, inability to play out from the back, and shaky defensive performance from 2CBs.

Lest you forget we did wrestle some level of control when this happened. Mirroring a formation is a sound approach, if not necessarily the most tactically astute. You would hope a tactical plan was formulated to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses but absent that mirroring is sound.

If you want to fume at Poch then the more reasonable issue would be starting Dele in the first place instead of GLC in that position but not the fact of taking him off when he did. Wasting 1 of 2 players in the starting lineup that can take the ball on the half-turn out on the wing is a peculiar choice. But not Poch's first time doing it. Let us not forget he wasted Dembele out there for a year and a half.

You seem to have frustrations with Poch but they are misplaced here.
 

Hercules

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2014
5,694
156,565
IDK what you're talking about but that was a good tactical approach and probably should have happened sooner, like before HT and made 'permanent' with a sub at HT. Moving GLC central and going 3 ATB was a sound approach to the lack of MF control, inability to play out from the back, and shaky defensive performance from 2CBs.

Lest you forget we did wrestle some level of control when this happened. Mirroring a formation is a sound approach, if not necessarily the most tactically astute. You would hope a tactical plan was formulated to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses but absent that mirroring is sound.

If you want to fume at Poch then the more reasonable issue would be starting Dele in the first place instead of GLC in that position but not the fact of taking him off when he did. Wasting 1 of 2 players in the starting lineup that can take the ball on the half-turn out on the wing is a peculiar choice. But not Poch's first time doing it. Let us not forget he wasted Dembele out there for a year and a half.

You seem to have frustrations with Poch but they are misplaced here.
I have frustrations with his tactical approach on Saturday. I stuck to what I said. Watching it live, I was totally miffed. And isn’t it funny that some Ed- pros near me felt the same.
 

heelspurs

Le filet mignon est un bastion de rosbif
Jul 25, 2012
4,270
5,105
I have frustrations with his tactical approach on Saturday. I stuck to what I said.
Feel free to stick to it all you want but you would be wrong. If you had frustrations with his tactical approach then that's fair for any fan to have. But just because you have those frustrations doesn't mean you have a valid point.

Watching it live, I was totally miffed.
Perhaps you just didn't understand the rationale behind it. I can't be sure but I think that is a possibility.

And isn’t it funny that some Ed- pros near me felt the same.
This appeal to authority with the 'pros' claim is foolish. Most pros in general, and English ex-pros in particular, wouldn't know sound tactics if they bit them on the arse. English football in general is the least tactically developed of the big Euro leagues and it was worse when your so-called 'pros' played. All you have to do is watch a game or two from elsewhere. All the modern tactics in the PL come from foreign coaches so, again, your appeal to the authority of ex-pros falls flat. It wasn't so long ago when folks like you were saying "so you know more than Poch" when folks criticized him for the same things we see now and the laggards are finally recognizing.

Defend your point and defend it with what you know not fallacious arguments. If you got a problem with Poch then fine but don't couch it in some lame argument against valid tactics because 'ex-Pros' agree. Tactics are tangible, available for all to see, and can be debated. Mirroring may be tactics 101 but it is sound, seemed to be effective on Saturday (would have been more so if Ndombele didn't get hurt), and should have happened earlier. But removing Dele from the 10 wasn't the problem by any stretch of the imagination and that was one of your 'frustrations'.
 
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