The Tottenham Thread 13/14 part 3.

[fac63]

I don't know what I make of a draw, really if we want to finish in the top 4 we have to win all our home games if we can, even against the top teams.

We definitely had the better of the first half. If it wasn't a good block by Ivanovich (could have easily been an own goal) and Paulinho hitting the post we could have been out of sight.

Once Jose brought on Mata it changed the game second half, that half was theirs. The game was crying out for Sandro because Oscar, Mata and Hazard started to get a grip on the game. I still don't know why AVB didn't do anything about that. If it wasn't for Hugo they could have had a couple of goals as well.

Siggy at the end was very unlucky, and I thought Dembele was the best player on the pitch today.

Torres didn't deserve to be sent off for that incident, but maybe he could have been sent off ten minutes before. It was all very immature and unprofessional, I've not seen Vertonghen lose it like that before either

We seemed to play half the game with our hands tied to give you a chance!

Seriously though Jose got his tactics wrong and we dominated once he corrected the error. Our best CM on the wing, no Mata and starting Lampard were all mistakes. I thought Spurs played okay, but nothing really impressive. We were so disjointed in the first half that you should have capitalised before Jose pulled out of his strange plan.

Second half we played a proper team and dominated until the red. Both Vertoghen and Torres could have been sent off, but Torres was a red waiting to happen and I'm not surprised he got one. He could easily have gotten a straight red for the scratch. It's annoying when these things happen over something as stupid as discipline but he brought it on himself.

Draw is better for us than for you, as failing to beat us with 10 men at WHL is a bit of a failure. But I suppose dropping points in this fixture is better than at home to West Brom.

Edit: Oh and Townsend is a lot better than I thought he was and was surprised to see AVB take him off (perhaps he wanted fresh legs?). We need to look at Cole replacements though.

I thought we were a bit fortnuate to escape with a point, tbh. AVB got it a bit wrong in the 2nd half once Mata came on, imo. Would have liked to see Sigurdsson withdrawn earlier as his impact was nonexistent. That said, we could have been 2 or 3 to the good in the first half and it really was a tale of 2 halves with Chelsea leaving the better impression at the end due to their 2nd half showing.

The real worry for me is Soldado's continued lack of impact as far as getting himself in scoring positions. He seems to be the one new signing that has not yet adjusted to the PL for me. All in all, I think the weekend showed that just about every team at the top of the table is a work in progress (save Arsenal perhaps). And United, I guess, since there doesn't seem to be much progress there.

 

[JimB]

If Mourinho got it wrong in the first half, then AVB definitely got it wrong in the second.

Should have brought on Sandro for Sigurdsson, Holtby for for a clearly tired Paulinho and, if Townsend had to come off, then Lamela should have been his replacement.

Too early to say whether Spurs have genuine title challenging credentials. Likewise Arsenal, who have had the easiest start of all the likely candidates.

 

[Jumanji]

Drawing with Jose mourinhos Chelsea means we are 'exposed', not losing to arsenal?

And if drawing with Chelsea means you are exposed, what does losses to Cardiff and villa mean?

Not trying to incite any spurs vs city comparison (you are better) just pointing out the ridiculousness of that statement.

We drew in a local derby against a team that many tipped for the title, which was in the end a fair result.

I watched the Spurs Chelsea game and I thought Chelsea had much the better of it. I am not sure whether that was down to Spurs sitting back on their 1-0 lead and being too conservative, or whether Chelsea were just the better team.

Chelsea have a clear problem up front with Torres being a good all-round footballer, but having lost the goal-touch and Eto'o so far has struggled. That looks like an unsolvable problem to me

I was a bit disappointed with the way Spurs played against Chelsea and if I were you I'd be a little un-nerved by Spurs performance against Arsenal and Chelsea

On the plus side, Spurs will get better as the season goes on with the new players bedding in and with competition for places and strength in depth I don't see why Spurs should "fall-off" as has happened before.

I think the League will be between Arsenal and City. City are a bit off the pace at the moment, but the team seem to be gelling together now. Even in the loss at Villa we dominated the game, and if we do that we'll win most weeks

Arsenal don't have much depth, so one or two injuries and they will tail off. We hardly looked poor against arsenal with a host of new players still managed to dominate posession and they needed 6 defenders on the pitch to see it out. Not troubled by our performance there at all, especially considering it was at the emirates.

We could have been 2 or 3 up at half time vs Chelsea and it was villas boas who let that game slip away from us in my opinion. Bringing on sandro and lamela instead of chadli would have been much better.

Going toe to toe with our two biggest local rivals who are also two of the best teams in the league and looking well within our depth does not fill me with fear.

Arsenal do have depth.

Why do you think they will fall off with injuries?

They're currently IN an injury crisis and playing very, very well.

Their team mentality seems to have improved and they seem determined to give the league a serious go this year.

 

[JimB]

I watched the Spurs Chelsea game and I thought Chelsea had much the better of it. I am not sure whether that was down to Spurs sitting back on their 1-0 lead and being too conservative, or whether Chelsea were just the better team.

Chelsea have a clear problem up front with Torres being a good all-round footballer, but having lost the goal-touch and Eto'o so far has struggled. That looks like an unsolvable problem to me

I was a bit disappointed with the way Spurs played against Chelsea and if I were you I'd be a little un-nerved by Spurs performance against Arsenal and Chelsea

On the plus side, Spurs will get better as the season goes on with the new players bedding in and with competition for places and strength in depth I don't see why Spurs should "fall-off" as has happened before.

I think the League will be between Arsenal and City. City are a bit off the pace at the moment, but the team seem to be gelling together now. Even in the loss at Villa we dominated the game, and if we do that we'll win most weeks

Arsenal don't have much depth, so one or two injuries and they will tail off. We hardly looked poor against arsenal with a host of new players still managed to dominate posession and they needed 6 defenders on the pitch to see it out. Not troubled by our performance there at all, especially considering it was at the emirates.

We could have been 2 or 3 up at half time vs Chelsea and it was villas boas who let that game slip away from us in my opinion. Bringing on sandro and lamela instead of chadli would have been much better.

Going toe to toe with our two biggest local rivals who are also two of the best teams in the league and looking well within our depth does not fill me with fear.

Arsenal do have depth.

Why do you think they will fall off with injuries?

They're currently IN an injury crisis and playing very, very well.

Their team mentality seems to have improved and they seem determined to give the league a serious go this year.

No different to Spurs in that respect.

I genuinely think that this could be one of the most exciting title races of the Premier League era. More teams in with a chance than there have been in many a year.

 

[Bilboblue]

Drawing with Jose mourinhos Chelsea means we are 'exposed', not losing to arsenal?

And if drawing with Chelsea means you are exposed, what does losses to Cardiff and villa mean?

Not trying to incite any spurs vs city comparison (you are better) just pointing out the ridiculousness of that statement.

We drew in a local derby against a team that many tipped for the title, which was in the end a fair result.

The reason you drew the game was because Mourinho had a brainfart and thought he could start Mikel/Lampard in the pivot and Ramires on the wing and Mata on the bench. After good sense prevailed at half time, they were shredding you apart.

As for losing to Cardiff and Villa, your title challenge credentials will be scrutinised more closely and to higher standards than ours at this initial stage. Our team's performances/achievements in the last two seasons will tell you what we are capable of achieving when on top form with our best players available. A defeat here and there can be overlooked as an exception. We were without our best striker and best AM yesterday (Aguero and Silva).
Your lot on the other hand, have to show that you have made a signifcant improvement over previous season. Last season your problem was scoring goals without Bale and 6 goals in 6 games will say that the same trend has continued.

What nonsense, If Mata had started in the 1st half, He would have been overpowered by our powerful midfield and high tempo.

and despite Chelsea's "dominance".... Lloris didn't look like conceding and it took them a set piece to equalize.

So goals from set-pieces are worth less now?

How many points worse off would that make you?

What a stupid comment.

 

[Crouchinho]

I don't know what I make of a draw, really if we want to finish in the top 4 we have to win all our home games if we can, even against the top teams.

We definitely had the better of the first half. If it wasn't a good block by Ivanovich (could have easily been an own goal) and Paulinho hitting the post we could have been out of sight.

Once Jose brought on Mata it changed the game second half, that half was theirs. The game was crying out for Sandro because Oscar, Mata and Hazard started to get a grip on the game. I still don't know why AVB didn't do anything about that. If it wasn't for Hugo they could have had a couple of goals as well.

Siggy at the end was very unlucky, and I thought Dembele was the best player on the pitch today.

Torres didn't deserve to be sent off for that incident, but maybe he could have been sent off ten minutes before. It was all very immature and unprofessional, I've not seen Vertonghen lose it like that before either

We seemed to play half the game with our hands tied to give you a chance!

Seriously though Jose got his tactics wrong and we dominated once he corrected the error. Our best CM on the wing, no Mata and starting Lampard were all mistakes. I thought Spurs played okay, but nothing really impressive. We were so disjointed in the first half that you should have capitalised before Jose pulled out of his strange plan.

Second half we played a proper team and dominated until the red. Both Vertoghen and Torres could have been sent off, but Torres was a red waiting to happen and I'm not surprised he got one. He could easily have gotten a straight red for the scratch. It's annoying when these things happen over something as stupid as discipline but he brought it on himself.

Draw is better for us than for you, as failing to beat us with 10 men at WHL is a bit of a failure. But I suppose dropping points in this fixture is better than at home to West Brom.

Edit: Oh and Townsend is a lot better than I thought he was and was surprised to see AVB take him off (perhaps he wanted fresh legs?). We need to look at Cole replacements though.

Jose had to swallow his pride and play Mata it was a no brainer. We should have been more than one up really.

I don't really think it's a failure not to score in ten minutes with a dismissal, if only football were that easy.

I think Townsend was knackered but Sandro should have featured. Not overly impressed with Chadli so far.

No real complaints over the scoreline. Everyone seemed to drop points bar Arsenal and Liverpool so it wasn't a bad weekend really.

Just need to get Soldado scoring against West Ham to get the ball rolling, have the Hammers managed 10 shots on target this season yet?<br /><br />-- Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:12 pm --<br /><br />

I watched the Spurs Chelsea game and I thought Chelsea had much the better of it. I am not sure whether that was down to Spurs sitting back on their 1-0 lead and being too conservative, or whether Chelsea were just the better team.

Chelsea have a clear problem up front with Torres being a good all-round footballer, but having lost the goal-touch and Eto'o so far has struggled. That looks like an unsolvable problem to me

I was a bit disappointed with the way Spurs played against Chelsea and if I were you I'd be a little un-nerved by Spurs performance against Arsenal and Chelsea

On the plus side, Spurs will get better as the season goes on with the new players bedding in and with competition for places and strength in depth I don't see why Spurs should "fall-off" as has happened before.

I think the League will be between Arsenal and City. City are a bit off the pace at the moment, but the team seem to be gelling together now. Even in the loss at Villa we dominated the game, and if we do that we'll win most weeks

Arsenal don't have much depth, so one or two injuries and they will tail off. We hardly looked poor against arsenal with a host of new players still managed to dominate posession and they needed 6 defenders on the pitch to see it out. Not troubled by our performance there at all, especially considering it was at the emirates.

We could have been 2 or 3 up at half time vs Chelsea and it was villas boas who let that game slip away from us in my opinion. Bringing on sandro and lamela instead of chadli would have been much better.

Going toe to toe with our two biggest local rivals who are also two of the best teams in the league and looking well within our depth does not fill me with fear.

Arsenal do have depth.

Why do you think they will fall off with injuries?

They're currently IN an injury crisis and playing very, very well.

Their team mentality seems to have improved and they seem determined to give the league a serious go this year.

I think everyone is getting giddy too soon with United and Arsenal's form. Even people are writing off City and Chelsea which seems strange as well. A few wins and losses can change dramatically in this early period.

 

[Bilboblue]

It's a decent result if you don't lose to your rivals to be fair, and for the first time, it seems that spuds could mount a challenge that lasts beyond February, still think you will fall short though.

Having said that, as you are only my second most hated team, it would be funny if you pushed yoonited out of the top 4 this season.

 

[Jumanji]

I don't know what I make of a draw, really if we want to finish in the top 4 we have to win all our home games if we can, even against the top teams.

We definitely had the better of the first half. If it wasn't a good block by Ivanovich (could have easily been an own goal) and Paulinho hitting the post we could have been out of sight.

Once Jose brought on Mata it changed the game second half, that half was theirs. The game was crying out for Sandro because Oscar, Mata and Hazard started to get a grip on the game. I still don't know why AVB didn't do anything about that. If it wasn't for Hugo they could have had a couple of goals as well.

Siggy at the end was very unlucky, and I thought Dembele was the best player on the pitch today.

Torres didn't deserve to be sent off for that incident, but maybe he could have been sent off ten minutes before. It was all very immature and unprofessional, I've not seen Vertonghen lose it like that before either

We seemed to play half the game with our hands tied to give you a chance!

Seriously though Jose got his tactics wrong and we dominated once he corrected the error. Our best CM on the wing, no Mata and starting Lampard were all mistakes. I thought Spurs played okay, but nothing really impressive. We were so disjointed in the first half that you should have capitalised before Jose pulled out of his strange plan.

Second half we played a proper team and dominated until the red. Both Vertoghen and Torres could have been sent off, but Torres was a red waiting to happen and I'm not surprised he got one. He could easily have gotten a straight red for the scratch. It's annoying when these things happen over something as stupid as discipline but he brought it on himself.

Draw is better for us than for you, as failing to beat us with 10 men at WHL is a bit of a failure. But I suppose dropping points in this fixture is better than at home to West Brom.

Edit: Oh and Townsend is a lot better than I thought he was and was surprised to see AVB take him off (perhaps he wanted fresh legs?). We need to look at Cole replacements though.

Jose had to swallow his pride and play Mata it was a no brainer. We should have been more than one up really.

I don't really think it's a failure not to score in ten minutes with a dismissal, if only football were that easy.

I think Townsend was knackered but Sandro should have featured. Not overly impressed with Chadli so far.

No real complaints over the scoreline. Everyone seemed to drop points bar Arsenal and Liverpool so it wasn't a bad weekend really.

Just need to get Soldado scoring against West Ham to get the ball rolling, have the Hammers managed 10 shots on target this season yet?

-- Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:12 pm --

Arsenal don't have much depth, so one or two injuries and they will tail off. We hardly looked poor against arsenal with a host of new players still managed to dominate posession and they needed 6 defenders on the pitch to see it out. Not troubled by our performance there at all, especially considering it was at the emirates.

We could have been 2 or 3 up at half time vs Chelsea and it was villas boas who let that game slip away from us in my opinion. Bringing on sandro and lamela instead of chadli would have been much better.

Going toe to toe with our two biggest local rivals who are also two of the best teams in the league and looking well within our depth does not fill me with fear.

Arsenal do have depth.

Why do you think they will fall off with injuries?

They're currently IN an injury crisis and playing very, very well.

Their team mentality seems to have improved and they seem determined to give the league a serious go this year.

I think everyone is getting giddy too soon with United and Arsenal's form. Even people are writing off City and Chelsea which seems strange as well. A few wins and losses can change dramatically in this early period.

My opinion is not kneejerk but based on months of observation. Arsenal have been quality since the second half of last season.

 

[Marvin]

We seemed to play half the game with our hands tied to give you a chance!

Seriously though Jose got his tactics wrong and we dominated once he corrected the error. Our best CM on the wing, no Mata and starting Lampard were all mistakes. I thought Spurs played okay, but nothing really impressive. We were so disjointed in the first half that you should have capitalised before Jose pulled out of his strange plan.

Second half we played a proper team and dominated until the red. Both Vertoghen and Torres could have been sent off, but Torres was a red waiting to happen and I'm not surprised he got one. He could easily have gotten a straight red for the scratch. It's annoying when these things happen over something as stupid as discipline but he brought it on himself.

Draw is better for us than for you, as failing to beat us with 10 men at WHL is a bit of a failure. But I suppose dropping points in this fixture is better than at home to West Brom.

Edit: Oh and Townsend is a lot better than I thought he was and was surprised to see AVB take him off (perhaps he wanted fresh legs?). We need to look at Cole replacements though.

Jose had to swallow his pride and play Mata it was a no brainer. We should have been more than one up really.

I don't really think it's a failure not to score in ten minutes with a dismissal, if only football were that easy.

I think Townsend was knackered but Sandro should have featured. Not overly impressed with Chadli so far.

No real complaints over the scoreline. Everyone seemed to drop points bar Arsenal and Liverpool so it wasn't a bad weekend really.

Just need to get Soldado scoring against West Ham to get the ball rolling, have the Hammers managed 10 shots on target this season yet?

-- Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:12 pm --

Arsenal do have depth.

Why do you think they will fall off with injuries?

They're currently IN an injury crisis and playing very, very well.

Their team mentality seems to have improved and they seem determined to give the league a serious go this year.

I think everyone is getting giddy too soon with United and Arsenal's form. Even people are writing off City and Chelsea which seems strange as well. A few wins and losses can change dramatically in this early period.

My opinion is not kneejerk but based on months of observation. Arsenal have been quality since the second half of last season.

They also have handled a major injury crisis.

 

[JimB]

My opinion is not kneejerk but based on months of observation. Arsenal have been quality since the second half of last season.

They have accumulated points well in that time. But they haven't always or even often been convincing. What they did well was not concede many and picked up maximum points against the lower and middling teams. Lots of 1-0's. Every time that they came up against a top seven team in the second half of last season, though, they lost or drew.

As I said, much like Spurs this season, so far!