Having brought an end to four successive defeats with a point against Burnley last weekend, Tottenham Hotspur face another quick turnaround in the fixture list as we are back in Champions League action on Tuesday, heading to Germany for the second leg of the RB Leipzig tie.
The first leg was a mixed affair, if we’re trying to be polite here, and despite our improvement as the game wore on, the fact we only trail 1-0 is a minor miracle.
RB Leipzig...
Win
Draw
Lose
You can somewhat forgive thoughts of impending doom given our recent form and performance levels, but the simple fact is we have to be a hell of a lot better than we have been if we are going to avoid an embarrassment here and there will definitely be those who are simply looking for positives to take from the game, as opposed to strict progression in the tournament.
Whilst there is a line of thought that says focusing on improvement and our potential Premier League finish should now be our priority, the whole club could do with a boost and victory here would certainly provide that, especially as it feels so unlikely.
We’ve pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat previously though – we just have to see if Tuesday is one of those days.
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Have Your Say – Reasons To Be Grateful Despite Four Defeats On The Spin For Spurs
Like I keep saying; Goalkeepers… all goalkeepers will make errors just as outfield players do all of the time and in most matches. But we will of course see these errors highlighted more so if they lead to a goal.
Even so, I don’t think that the similar Goalie errors that we have seen recently are all just by coincidence. The weather has been stormy with heavy rain and very strong winds. This will always put the keepers at the greatest disadvantage. (As well as defenders having to deal with high balls etc)…
How much did Allison cost Liverpool? It was close to £67m. Making him the most expensive keeper, ever…He has made several cock-ups since joining Liverpool. De Gea has also made more than his fair share in the past couple of seasons. Other top goalies as well…
These guys as well as Hugo are all great keepers. 3 of the best. Vorm is also still a good keeper… And what they all also have in common is that they are not perfect.
Bloody Goalkeepers eh? Can’t win with them. Can’t win without them
I think we need to press and attack from the start. That means Lo Celso, Moura, and Lamela need to be on the pitch when the game starts. We might lose 4-2 but we will retain some self-respect. Then again, it gives us a chance of winning. Start slowly and we will surely lose …. 4-0?
I just thought it was very un-Ederson like HT, to make two such glaring errors in the same match is still a rarity even for the average keeper.
I know TQ. It is.
You know me, I get all defensive and protective over keepers. Even our rivals No. 1’s…
Bergwijn is now buggered and out!
Looks to me that Jose may have to start thinking about utilising the youngsters, both Sessegnon and the Parrott…
I mean why the hell not?!
Saw that HT about Bergs – now JM might get some vindication about trying to conserve energy and avoid further injuries etc whilst juggling his diminished forward line in recent matches?! Now Bergs is gone we will have to use Lo Celso as an ACM surely with Dele as a STR with Moura and Lamela on the wings to give it a go but there is no plan B in case of further fatigue, injuries, etc unless we use the likes of Sessegnon, Fernandes and Aurier on the wing and Parrott up front but it is far from ideal – a bloody nightmare in fact.
Almost agree with JOD – not going to lose any sleep over tomorrow as not much we can do and same goes for the Prem aswell – we’ll be very lucky to get a EL spot now and that’s after all a poisoned chalice anyway. Atleast we are safe from relegation past the magic 40 point stage.
On top not sounding good on the transfer front for the summer with Levy admitting missing out on CL will affect the budget, etc – if it was even that great assuming we did get CL.
HT – on Sess – I doubt he will be loaned out to be honest but seeing how good it was for the likes of Walker, Rose and HK10 in their time to name a few I just thought it might be a decent option to get him playing regularly and hopefully upto standard especially given his big injury when joining, lack of serious game time so far and generally poor performances when given the chance. Hope he’s not another poor signing by us, same goes for N’Dombele, Clarke, etc.
He has to play forwards such as Bergwijn EJ. Even if he does also play 5 centre backs as well. He is not vindicated tactically because they then get hacked down and injured. Jose’s defensive tactics will not prevent further injury to any players. Playing on the front foot does not make injury a greater risk.
We do still need to win matches. And we need forwards at the other end of the pitch to hopefully do this. and we need to move forward to give them the ball. Not sit back and simply hope to break every time. If anything, the more we rely on the counter attack, the more our offensive players have to run and the more they will get hacked… I think so anyway. I see so! 😉
https://www.footballinsider247.com/mourinho-plans-to-build-tottenham-team-around-lo-celso/
Reading this article would be brilliant to see a team built around the excellent Lo Celso, this said what interested me most was the stating that we are looking for a CB, RB, DMC and STR in the summer – hope it’s correct because I’ve highlighted these as problem areas as have others – where the money comes from though I don’t honestly know – just hope somehow it is found to strengthen the squad as mentioned. Looking forward to what the summer brings especially the way this season has gone – can’t end quick enough quite frankly – what a disaster!
Not too sure about tomorrow. No longer enjoy watching Spurs. We are so dour, dismal and uninspiring. Seem ages ago that I was jumping out of my seat and praising Poch and the players for their exciting passing, superb midfield control, massive possession, total domination and great goals. Now we shudder at our defensive play, lack of midfield and total impotence in front of goal. I was excited today to watch all of Dele’s 50 goals for Spurs. What has happened? He is just a shadow now and looks depressed and disillusioned like the rest of the team. Jose is not our man and I think Levy is already squirming around in his seat knowing we will not have the income from Champs League next season.He was banking on this or at least one trophy for the bare cabinet to please his greedy masters. I firmly believe that we will cut our losses and pay Mourinho off. He wont resign because of the big payout. Poch could have got us out of this mess with the right support and signings. As it is we have to put up with crocks and nobodies..Lo Celso excepted. What happened to the brilliant winger Clarke or the goal machine..Sessegnon? Why do we not have exceptional stars coming through? We have fantastic training facilities, a wonderful ground but poor squad with very little coming through. (Do not tell me about Winks and Skipp!!!) . So many clubs in Prem have superb young players that step with the right support. Where are ours? We may have to wait…but it could be a long one….hopefully without Jose and Levy. Time for a dramatic change like the Labour Party.
Finding it hard to even log into this with adverts blocking. We need Togo for it tomorrow night I’ll do a. PY and try to select a team. Lloris, Aurier, Toby, Verts, Sess, Dier, N’Dombele, LoCeslo, Lamella, Lucas, Dele. We have so many niggles and injuries goodness knows who will play. Would really love to see Parrot get another chance. If we can get ahead for a change then try to close the door rather than trying to close the door b4 we get ahead.
If you’re Iphone we can’t help, it’s their settings apparently. If not, dannywinter@vitalfootball.co.uk and give me a screenshot Niall and I’ll forward it on so the advert is pulled.
No worries HT – I don’t like the tactics either and it’s bloody boring to watch, actually scrap boring and replace with depressing but it is what it is. Like I said hopefully he plays Lo Celso, Lamela, Moura and Dele tomorrow – 4231 – hoping further the defence holds out and we can nick a goal or 2 but not holding my breath lol! Dier and Winks in CM.
Lloris
Aurier Toby Davy Verts
Dier Winks
Moura Lo Celso Lamela
Dele
That’s who I would put out and I expect it will be pretty similar from JM himself.
I have just watched Jose’s press conference. He says we are gonna “go for it”.
I’ll take his word for it. And I now expect an all out, guns a blazing, full on, attacking onslaught from Spurs.
RB Leipzig 2-4 THFC!
We’re on the march with Jose’s army…
Jose M and his blue and white army (Jose M and his blue and white army)…
Oh when the Spurs go marching in … Etc Etc…
Who loves ya Jose?
HT Quite correct a 2-1 result will see us through !!
Got O level Maths but not my strong subject !!!
However to try and get 1 goal will be amazing esp as bergwjin is out .
Although not a Jose fan I feel that he is choosing the team with his hands tied behind his back and hope he can generate a positive team tomorrow even though we will be rolled over . I can’t see him changing his tactics however and expect a negative approach . Does he have a choice ?
Does anyone think that the Germans might take it easy with us ???
You know what would take the Leipzig team by surprise? If Spurs choose not to take it easy on them.
That is if I presume their coaches have been doing their homework on us since we last played them.
Surely the only choice that Jose has to win this match is by doing what he insisted his team will do. And that is go for it. Whatever he means by that.
I honestly believe that sitting deep and forming a safe defensive approach in the hope of some luck up front will probably be the worst thing we can do.
However we play though, let’s just hope that it works in our favour. But a boring Spurs will be a losing Spurs in my honest opinion.
But it does seem that all the (un)happy-clappy Spurs/JM fans out there that believe Jose’s current way is the only way, might well be satisfied when rewarded with yet another dull and uninspiring loss. But only as long as we are not thrashed…
For the record, that last post of mine loaded instantly.
A new VS for a new Spurs? Probably not…
What is funny and ironic to me is that most of those on VS (here and on the forum) that are in defence of JM’s negative tactical approaches, are not at all confident that we can get a win tonight. Whereas I am…
So maybe it’s me that I should be naming the unhappy-clappy one!
Once again, for the record. My last post loaded straight away. But not the “for the record” one before it…
You’re lucky HT, my post from a couple of hours ago hasn’t appearted at all. First time that has happened!
I wasn’t confident of a win but it’s Jose’s positive spiel about this match that has changed my mind…
That’s the power of positivity right there. It brings a little hope and a measure of confidence. And not the negative vibe of defeatism… Well, for me anyway ….
We’ll probably get thrashed now that I’ve changed my tune… Oh Damn my cynical self!
HT…the occassional post seems to hit a sweet spot of timing and appears immediately along with some that have been held up by the delay.
ND…well done for playing name that team, with a smile or maybe a smirk on your boatrace lol!
I see JM is following my brief, as my post earlier of “go for it” lol! basically what is to be lost only gains.
I also said that “I feel it in my water” that we will cause an upset tonight, as after the home defeat by a pen! I believed then we can “do it”, like the proverbial “rat”, backs against the wall, we will come out fighting, beware the hurt animal that is THFC.
So HT there is my little bit of positivity. COYS 4 ever.