It’s pretty obvious really …. football is a game of two teams. It is not logical to expect that the team we support will have everything its own way.
Spurs have dropped points against teams where all supporters expected a win. This often leads to frustration, even anger, from many supporters. But, despite this, we sit in second place on the table, above such fancied clubs such as City, United, Chelsea, and Arsenal (although, to be honest, I’ve never fancied Arsenal).
A mid-table or bottom club can take points from a top club …. on any given day. This happens more and more as many teams decide it is better to play defensively and get a point rather than play to win and end up with nothing. it’s a practical theory, and it works. We see that every week.
But many teams also realise that by sitting back and defending they could steal a win from a fast break. We see that most weeks as well. Every PL team has at least one or two players that are above average. They can turn any game, and they sometimes do. That is the way the PL will play out in future years. That is why predicting results can be so difficult.
Some supporters seem to see this as a problem that only Spurs have. This isn’t true. Supporters, generally, fail to give credit to the opposing team when they win or force a draw. We are more prone to pick faults with our own team. To demonise the team or the manager because of a poor result does not make sense because …. there are two teams on the park. To demonise the team or the manager after a series of poor results is a different matter.
The reality is that every top team will lose points they should not, on paper, lose. We beat Brighton but could have easily lost as they missed three completely open goals that ‘Arry’s missus’ would have scored (she was some kind of player)! Sometimes teams play well and lose. Sometimes teams play badly and win. It’s the unpredictability and competitiveness of the PL that makes it the most exciting competition in world football. How lucky are we to be in the mix.
If I’m not mistaken I think we all agreed that the recent Transfer Window was a great success and we now have (arguably) two players for every position. Given the amount of games on the horizon that was crucial for the rest of the season. It’s also pretty obvious that team rotation is a significant aspect of the game for the clubs fighting on many fronts. Clubs like Spurs.
This is where the manager, any manager, needs to make the right decisions. But those ‘right decisions’ are not easy to make. A manager has to ‘mix and match’ his players for specific games. He bases his decisions on what he sees at training. He expects that his players will perform at their optimum level when he picks them. But sometimes they don’t. That is not the manager’s fault although he often gets the blame.
When to use the bench during a game is a decision managers will, in hindsight, be vilified or praised for. But it’s a fine line of distinction. Again, many supporters are quick to demonise a manager when things don’t go as expected (or desired). Even during a live match thread, many supporters start calling for heads before the match is over. What is that about? How does it help …. especially when we often go on and win the game in any case. What those supporters forget is …. there are two teams on the park! The other thing to remember is that it is not the manager’s fault every time a player does not perform.
Most league games so far this season have been against lower clubs who elected to defend. Those games were often a struggle. But we sit in second place. We have only played one match against a perceived major rival … a team intent on attacking. It was away from home. How did that turn out!
Spurs cannot play the same way against every team because those other teams will play differently. There are two teams on the park. We will play much differently against United, Arsenal, Chelsea, City, etc, than against, Fulham, WBA, Brighton, etc. As supporters we can provide a better service to our club by recognising, and accepting, how modern day PL football works. Knee-jerk reactions aimed against team members or the manager are far from helpful or supportive. Of course, it might be a different story if Spurs were in the bottom six instead of the top six.
But we are second and will remain there until our next game against Manchester City at home …. a game that will see two attacking teams on the park! Whatever happens, it’s worth remembering that one game does not define a season. Gotta love football!
I thought Winks had a fairly decent game and actually registered an assist, but then the opposition wasn’t up to much.
That’s exactly what I mean TQ. He’s OK against and in an average team. He’s Newcastle, WBA, Brighton standard.
Southgate obviously likes him, as a squad member at least.
Jeez
I thought it was bad enough having to Google the Irish team but having to goole some of the England team.
Salah tests positive. I fear this season will not go the full distance.
Geof……I think many of us knew it was impractical to try and keep the international matches going and maybe even the european club competitions, but hey, what do we know!
Yes, it’s a worry!
I think that being a top pro footballer is probably one of the safest professions to be in right now. They are being continually tested and monitored. They are well looked after. And, they have very strict guidelines to follow.
Players have had and will get Covid. Just as in the rest of society. But I can’t see it ever becoming a major problem, as long as they continue with following the strict protocols they have in place.
But, as I said in an earlier post; No one, including footballers, can be a 100% safe. It is unrealistic to think otherwise.
Hi HT …. That’s the problem. They are all being continuously tested but Salah and others are still catching the virus.
On a personal note …. WA has cut itself off from the world for months but is just about to open its borders. That will be interesting!
Salah attended his brothers wedding whilst in Egypt. It seems very likely that that is where he contracted the virus. He was recorded getting close up and personal in a crowded room of guests, with is face mask around his neck.
He has the virus but is apparently asymptomatic. And so hasn’t shown any signs of illness. If it weren’t for the testing (he was twice tested), then it could’ve been passed on to his Egyptian team mates. But he is now of course in isolation. It’s this frequent testing that will keep the spread down.
Unless football is cancelled all together, then there will be risks. But would any of those players be less at risk outside of their professional, controlled ‘bubbles’? Probably not, if they choose attend crowded family gatherings.
HT …. Yes, I guess there will be risks everywhere for some time. The PL has been affected already despite the precautions taken. In terms of football I suppose there will be minimal risk whilst the matches are played in empty stadiums. At least TV will keep the revenue to clubs flowing and allow the fans to see the games. Who knows? Not me.
With regard to Winks I would argue he’s been played out of position for pretty much his whole career by Pochettino, Southgate and now Mourinho. He’s not a defensive midfield player but seemingly its another position where quality is in short supply. For England there’s really only Rice who looks convincing and at Spurs we’ve only got Højbjerg. Since you need more than one player for each position Winks gets played there because the other options are worse. Which helps the managers but does nothing for Winks progression as a player.
Jod interesting point re – Winks.
I did in previous posts allude to the thought that he was maybe playing out of position.
However that subsequently would lead me to think then there are several other players who are better for the position he then should be playing.
I’ve went on before about his sideways and backwards football, so I won’t go there, however there are times lately I’ve seen him play a ball and drop back when he should’ve run on for the return.
Just frustrates me at times.
And I’m sure there are many to come forward in support of him.
Niall D – When you say other players who would be better in his position I assume you don’t mean players already at Spurs ? I’m not sure there are really that many quality DMs around. The thing about Winks is if you think back to when he first got into the Spurs and England team he was playing a much more positive brand of football. But it seems to me that as managers have tried to turn him into something he isn’t they’ve taken that away from him. I remember many years ago Alan Durban talking about how he started off as an attacking winger then as managers focused on his poor tackling he lost his way. Then Brian Clough got hold of him, switched the focus back to taking men on and going past them and suddenly he was a new player. As his confidence returned even his tackling improved. Maybe Winks needs a new manager at a different club. Having said I don’t think there are that many good DMs around we may have one coming through our own ranks in Skipp, which would be a bonus.
jod …. I agree with you. When Winks first came into the team he was the main midfielder for moving the ball forward at speed. I do feel that his natural way of playing has been curtailed for reasons of team strategy … good or bad.
OMG!…….just read that Ray Clemence has passed away, such sad news, only 72 years of age. RIP Clem.
TQ …. It was announced during the Arsenal/Chelsea game. An absolutely brilliant keeper and legend. Thanks for the memories, Ray!
Hi Geof, I guessed you would be watching the game as I did, I had the sound muted on my laptop as I was watching another event on TV at the same time.
I doubt you watched our game at Bristol City on Saturday due to the kick-off time? I have been very disappointed with our recent performances after a promising start. Alex Morgan started the game and Kennedy was back which was helpful as she is by far our best player. Morgan was subbed at half time probably down to fitness but to be honest she isn’t going to show her USA form without some better quality players around her!
I watched the Wales v ROI game earlier, it was my first opportunity to check out Joe Rondon and I wasn’t disappointed, pulled off some fantastic tackles in his own box that could easily have resulted in pens if they hadn’t been so well timed. Bale played the full 90 which will improve his match fitness and Ben had a decent game again. Before he moved to Bournemouth I said we should have made a play for Brooks, he is now getting back to his best after his long injury lay off and would make a good replacement if Dele moves on.
Time for Kenny to go, no goals in 6 games, he is way out of his dept.
RIP Ray Clemence, a true gentleman.
Jod re Winks, I was just replying to your post about Winks being played out of position.
So that leads me to believe that if he is being played out of position, then obviously there must be several better players at Spurs in the position he should be in.
Sorry folks I just don’t see it.
He is much too safe, not good enough either defensively nor does he provide enough in attack.
For me he slows play down and our offensive play then loses impetus.
Won’t go on.
Here are a few names who ranked above Winks in last seasons premiership as a DM
P Billings Bournemouth
D Stephens Burnley
J McCarthy Palace
O Norwood Sheffield Utd.
Along with Many others Kante, Hoj, Fabinho, Ndidi, Henderson, I could go on thses and many more all faired better in a DM position than our own Winksy.
My choice to replace him and a guy who brings much more to the table and has an understanding of playing with Hoj would be James Ward Prowse Pretty good defensively and provides in attack +has a decent free kick in him.
BTW went for lesser known names as Jod says there wasn’t any quality players.
We’ll those listed all came above Winks in tackles for DM’s
I know it’s subjective and there are other stats.
But for me the guy is marmite and I don’t get it.
It’s funny Niall, I have never seen Winks as anything other than a squad player but, as I said earlier, Southgate must like him, he came on at half time for England tonight to replace Henderson and the side seemed to play much better with him in the middle!