The possession game

[alamo]

Well, according to BBC we again dominated possession. Against a spirited home side n'all.

63% - 37%
29 shots (12 on target) - 6 shots (0 on target)

I only just got home and didn't have the pleasure of seeing the game or listening to it but fook me AVB really does seem to be implementing his ideology.

We are turning into right stubborn, aggressive bullies and it is feckin' wonderful to observe.

Loving this new look Spurs.

(Oh, and Bale got injured today........ again that only highlights how much better off we are to have a TEAM and not be relying on an individual now, no matter his quality)

 

[Darth Vega]

I might be wrong but I remember us having a lot of possession in a lot of games last season as well but we were slow and lethargic to say the least. Today we dominated from start to finish and really bombarded the Cardiff goal. Got a bit of luck with two refereeing decisions but we're well overdue. Arsenal and Chelsea get a decision in their favour every other week.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

The last two games we have genuinely dominated the game. It was my problem with the 'we dominated Arsenal crowd' just because we had more possession. We didn't dominate Arsenal in the same way United didn't dominate City just because they had more possession.

It's good though, more luck today we would have given Cardiff a deserved hiding.

Good signs last two league games for sure.

 

[Misfit]

The last two games we have genuinely dominated the game. It was my problem with the 'we dominated Arsenal crowd' just because we had more possession. We didn't dominate Arsenal in the same way United didn't dominate City just because they had more possession.

It's good though, more luck today we would have given Cardiff a deserved hiding.

Good signs last two league games for sure.

Aye. It's a perfect example of how having more "negative" players in the team is actually an offensive tactic. Keep the ball, you lessen the pressure your defence is under and also allow your attackers more opportunites to create something.

About the assnal game - I agree with you. They were the more dangerous side that day. However, I'll take making an assnal side known for possession and passing football adapt their tactics at home against us. A bloody shame they did it to good effect but it's something to take heart from anyway.

 

[JerryGarcia]

I know a lot of people have said we're not as exciting as we were under Harry but I absolutely love watching us under AVB too. When I was a youth I would watch Man Utd in europe when they were at their peak and I was amazed at how they could keep the ball and more so, how they seemed to win every loose ball or 50/50. What we're seeing under AVB is a team that is able to dominate the ball away from home which is what you need to be able to do if you want to win trophies. Our pressing game is phenomenal and will only get better, if we start adding more goals then the next few years could be very interesting.

Not saying we'll win the league or anything but it's clear that we're going for it and hopefully by aiming high we'll be able to enjoy a few more seasons in the Champions League and maybe win a cup or two. I loved how exciting we were under Harry but we let in too many goals compared to the other teams around us. How long has it been since we last let in only one goal in the first five (8 including cups) games?

 

[Misfit]

The only quibble I have is starting Paul and Moose together for some games. I really feel we need a destroyer in there or the pressing game can become a little haphazard. One of Sandro/Kapow alongside one of Paul/Moose. Still, mere details at this stage. It's not like any combo is going to be a total disaster.

Expect us to get more coherent int he final third as Eriksen, Lamela, Bobby and Holtby all start to click with each other. And this is just the first 5 games of the first season.

Please, footballing Gods, allow us to keep this collection together for just 2 or 3 yrs on the trot because if we can we'll likely be in a position to be able to reject the advances of next club who would like to cherry-pick our best players.

 

[elDiablo]

This season the possession football has some purpose to it; a bit of cut and thrust at the end where we genuinely look for the final move. Ok it doesnt allllllllways come off, but we seem to be playing to a certain mantra. On reflection, you can see AVB trying to implement his ideas, but not having the personnel to carry it off.

Was impressed today how we regained control after losing it. Kim in midfield was starting to dictate play with his dribbling and lead to a few hairy moments, but we maintained our position, and got the win.

Really exciting to think how we may be come December when the midfield and attack start to look more fluid.

 

[Armstrong_11]

I know we played well and we deserved the 3 points... (and i got decent points on the prediction league)

but i really can't shake the feeling of how dangerous Cardiff looked. Every time Naughton had the ball i was worried, Bellamy kept closing him down and he didn't look confident on the ball, and worst was we didn't really have any changes on the bench to allow us to switch Verts to the left.

and i can't believe how much pressure Fraizer Campbell and Odemwingie put on the back line, two strikers what won't even come close to our bench this season.

We really need to do better, we created lots and lots of chances, but failed to take any till injury time. Cardiff had a couple of good chances, and if they had taken one of them, would be a really different story.

We have defended really well so far this season, but today i was really worried, straight from kick off piled on the pressure, and they really did well.

 

[Kendall]

You need to be positive with the possession. I still think we are some way behind the goons in terms of moving the ball quickly and creating openings but the big plus today was that Dembele was a lot more positive.

 

[easley91]

We had Vlad who could've allowed Jan to go LB.

 

[Kingstheman]

Only 63% possession away from home? We were lucky to get a sniff from this game!!!

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

i think our shots on goal tally is skewed, ....... by townsend million attempts!

 

[michaelden]

Brendan Rogers would be proud of our possession stats!

 

[chinaman]

i think our shots on goal tally is skewed, ....... by townsend million attempts!

Townsend really played well today. Had about 3 to 4 shots, one of which stunned one of their defenders. Also made a few very good runs and really set up Siggy who was slow to react.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

Once we get to grips with popping the ball into the goal, nothing will hold us back.

 

[ShelfSide18]

I love the possession, the pressing and how AVB is implementing his philosophy on to the team, but the biggest single thing I love about this Spurs side is it's belief, the never say die spirit and group mentality that AVB and his staff have developed.

Technique, tactics, strategy is important, very much so, but this team has something very special. There is a great belief around the club.

 

[tony_parkes]

Brendan Rogers would be proud of our possession stats!

Death by football.

 

[chinaman]

I love the possession, the pressing and how AVB is implementing his philosophy on to the team, but the biggest single thing I love about this Spurs side is it's belief, the never say die spirit and group mentality that AVB and his staff have developed.

Technique, tactics, strategy is important, very much so, but this team has something very special. There is a great belief around the club.

A win next week will really do wonders for our confidence.

 

[llamafarmer]

We have so much more going forward than last season, we're more solid at the back and today showed a really tenacious attitude to keep pushing for the winner. In the past we might have settled for the draw away from home against a tough side, but we went at them like only a win would do.

 

[marvel]

Our average shots per game conceded (7) is the lowest in Europe. Turns out signing all these beastly players was as good as we hoped it would be.