Match Threads Spurs vs West Ham

[jurgen11]

Win for us with a Timo hat trick which will probably cause a catastrophic biblical event, the likes of which have never been seen. #timohattrick

hitting the post would do that

 

[McFlash]

After the shambolic throwing away of a victory against Brighton, I’m almost past caring. Won’t be watching this one.
Tottenham, without fail, will always find a way to disappoint. I’ve never known it any different in the last 25 years, League Cup win aside.

Come on mate, you're better than that.
We're better than that, we're not Gooners or City fans who leave when things are tough.

This is a big game and we should all be supporting the team from wherever we are.
COYS.

 

[browndchl]

Got a feeling we’re going to blow them away and give them a humiliating thrashing. Can’t wait for tomorrow

 

[sidford]

The loss and 2nd half performance against Brighton was one of the toughest I've seen since maybe the Zagreb game were we lost 3 nil to a team whose coach was in jail.
I would argue the 2nd half against Brighton was actually worse.

The 2nd half really hit both in terms of the players and also Ange with his complete and utter helplessness & inaction on the sideline.
Based on that it'll be a long time until I could actually be optimistic about a game so going for a hammers win

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Theyre very good on the counter with a lot of pace, but this season defensively and in midfield they have been a mess.

They probably say the same about us...

 

[TonyK]

Come on mate, your better than that.
We're better than that, we're not Gooners or City fans who leave when things are tough.

This is a big game and we should all be supporting the team from wherever we are.
COYS.

Exactly this - if you can't support us through the bad times, then you shouldn't support us through the good!

 

[mil1lion]

I mean you can't complain about the team being weak and then yourself quit on the team

 

[Yiddo1982]

Probably best to start Bentancur for this one, as Bissouma has been away and arrived back late, whilst Bentancur has been rested over the past fortnight.

 

[Albertbarich]

Realised today I can’t watch as I’ve been told we’re going out for the day.

Either way I think we win this comfortably, they’re a bit of a mess at the moment and it looks like the manager hasn’t got his tactics anywhere near right so I’m going for a 3-1 with a kulu man of the match performance.

 

[BuryMeInEngland]

Must be nice for West Ham getting to play this cup final of theirs in a real football stadium.

 

[Mr Pink]

Same team that started against Brentford.

Maybe Dragusin for Romero, but if the latter is good to go, same team.

 

[Nayim60yards]

West Ham are a team who have been all over the map results-wise and have not yet found their feet properly under Lopetegui's management. We are at home, we owe them for a defeat at ours last season which was every bit as unlikely as the Brighton one after the way we put them to the sword in the first half but that time we just couldn't get that second goal and then we just gave the game away with some rank bad defending. I fancy us to put it right this time and get back on track. Tottenham Hotspur 3 West Ham United 1. COYS!

 

[Disco]

4-1 to the good guys

 

[jolsnogross]

Son and Richarlison back in the fold, should be a strong bench...if Ange fancies using it!

 

[Farmdog]

From Ange’s comments earlier this week saying he’s going to have a go at everyone as there wasn’t time post Brighton game before the International break up, hopefully he admits he made mistakes too and now is a time to make some changes.
I reckon we could see our most pragmatic approach to a game since AP took over with a 2-0 win.
It’s fantastic attacking football, but collectively we need to tighten things up at the back without losing that attacking flair, there are a few small tweaks that could make a big difference.
First off, when pressing high, the full-backs tend to get caught out sometimes, which leaves space for counters. If one full-back stays a little deeper when the other pushes up, it can create more balance and help cover those counter-attacks better. It’s a temporary back three, so they don’t get caught out as easily when the ball turns over.
Then, there’s the midfield. Having a dedicated player, like Bissouma, sit a bit deeper when Spurs lose possession can really help shield the defense. He’d be in the perfect spot to break up counters before they become dangerous, offering that bit of extra protection without disrupting the team’s flow.
Another thing that could help is keeping the team more compact defensively. By narrowing the space between the defense and midfield when pressing, Spurs could limit the room opponents have to exploit on the break. It’s all about making those gaps smaller so opponents can’t play through as easily.

Set pieces are another area that could use a tweak. A mix of zonal and man-marking (though I think since Montgomery came in, that’s started to happen) would give more control over key areas while still keeping an eye on the most dangerous players. It can help Spurs cut down on those frustrating free headers that lead to goals.
And in those late-game situations where we’re defending a lead, dropping the defensive line just a touch deeper could prevent them from being exposed to balls over the top. It’s about being smart without going fully defensive.
Lastly, we could be a bit more tactical with fouls. Breaking up counters with a well-timed foul in the middle third rather than last ditch, can stop the opposition before they even get going, giving us time to reset and organise defensively.

 

[kelloggs]

A must win, and an opportunity for the players and Ange to show they have used the Brighton experience to evolve. As much as we need to consider the 2nd half, we also shouldn't forget the 1st. The ingredients are there with this squad and manager, the key is fine tuning the recipe. That fine tuning is 1 or 2 additions of course, but Ange needs to be able to deploy a little more pragmatism on occasion. That's doesn't translate to 'abandoning his principles', it's about game management at the highest competitive level of football and valuing results over a bit of ego. If he can make that adjustment, and it's actually a small one if you think about it, then we could be a much more performant team in terms of points on the board. For the players, they need this change from him to be more professional. If you're given freedom to play a certain way without any fear of consequence then it surely errodes potential team discipline\cohesion. Everyone pulling together to protect a well earned 2 goal lead and being decisive in collectively determining a game has swung and the tactics need to adapt accordingly is the height of professionalism IMO.

I don't enjoy facing this lot as they obviously see it as a cup final every match and raise their level regardless of their current predicament. If we start well as we did at Brighton, they will come back and pressure us. How Ange and the team respond to that today will give the biggest insight into where this 'project' is going. I'm hoping we see signs development from Brighton, which will put the train back on the tracks nicely for a crucial period.

 

[Monkey boy]

I hate that these lot and Chelsea always raise their game when facing us yet we rarely seem to do it to match them which is the bare minimum that we should expect.

 

[lincspurs]

Re last seasons home game

and then we just gave the game away with some rank bad defending.

And a huge slice of bad luck!!!

 

[Romulus]

Actually played really good attacking football without Son in the team. A large part of that was Werners ability to stay high and wide and run in behind them (as well as Johnson). Son just doesn't do it that much these days

 

[Obie Trice]

we have to win