Having utterly failed to take advantage of a Fulham side that had to have match sharpness questions hanging over their heads, Tottenham Hotspur’s fixture this Sunday sees us travel to Bramall Lane to face a very struggling Sheffield United side.
With Chris Wilder’s side putting in phenomenal showings last season, the wheels have roundly fallen off the bus and they find themselves in bottom place in the Premier League table, with only one win from 18.
On paper, Spurs’ chances of taking all three points are aided by the fact that they will be reportedly missing seven players and although Wilder hasn’t named them, it could include Enda Stevens, Oli McBurnie, George Baldock and Jack Robinson.
As for ourselves, only Giovani Lo Celso remains out as Steven Bergwijn could come back into contention and of course, Gareth Bale now has more minutes under his belt as well.
As ever though, it comes down to us, our approach to the game and whether or not we can kill them off, or like Fulham, simply play in a manner that gives them a second wind and gets them back into the game.
It’ll take a brave fan to bet on this one as United’s one victory came in their last match, so you can somewhat see the headlines already.
Will we have a few answers or simply more questions?
Off Topic (a bit)
I noticed 2 things re Liverpool manager.
that J Klopp mentioned the penalties awarded to Man U over those for other teams.
It also shows that Klopp is not beyond the “mind games” and if JM had made such a comment the press would’ve jumped all over him.
Just shows nicely, nicey Jurgen is really only nice when it’s going his way.
It’s true about the penalties, so it ain’t just TQ and me. 😉
ND…am a bit put our there, I didn’t get a mention regards MU’s penalties lol! COYS
Ironically it was playing in a more positive fashion that saw us thrash the Saints and then MU at OT…
I supported Jose in Spurs giving up possession to the likes of City and Chelsea, to get a result.
But against Wolves, Palace and Fulham?!
Like I’ve said Jose’s way has be a winning way or no way, Jose… And the mood amongst Spurs supporters right now is proving it.
Given that we are in a cup final and just 6 points from the top of the PL etc., and yet there is so much negativity…
Maybe Spurs supporters are quite desperate to win something…. But even more desperate to see us win in a different way……… Or drawing even…..
But to defend our football when we are not winning is very odd to me when the reason for it is that the football is so bad……
HT…..for my part it’s not about desperation to wins things, I’m just frustrated by the fact we don’t play to the level of potential I believe we have with our squad. Maybe it’s just me over rating our players?
Yes HT only 6 points off the top but, if we actually attacked we could be top that’s the difference, out-of the 5 draws if we lost 3 and won 2 we would have more points.
123 …. Only one more!
Exactly my point
We’ve drawn 6 games 123, not 5, if one of those draws had been a win we would be 3rd in the league instead of 6th.
The 5 draws we took the lead in and sat back
Ah…ok, did you see how Brighton held on to a 1-0 scoreline against Leeds for nearly the whole game? I wonder if Jose had our squad watching and learning from it. :- )
Attacking is the best form of defence but if we have few creative players to help us create chances except with through balls to Son then how can we score the goals before we shut up shop in the 2nd half and start punting balls up to the opposition and passing the ball to the team not in our colours ?
There is no width and trying to dribble through a defence doesn’t appear to be working .
I can see a 2-1 loss tomorrow with their 2 goals being scored in the final 20 minutes
I apologise for the depressing prediction but I feel that the recent play bodes little other than late headed goals and points lost and has created with me an extremely negative attitude towards the team .
Allan….you’re clearly not alone in feeling negative thoughts about our play right now, we can only hope for things to improve! 🙂
Hate to jump over all the negativity here, just saw the Chelsea /Fulham game the Blues were anything but convincing and Fulham were a tad unlucky even with ten men not to get a point.
It sort of brings our result against Fulham into a bit of perspective.
Those who wanted the Wolves manager (Nuno Esparinto?) suddenly they’re without a win in 7 games and just above relegation places.
This year in particular its going to be a goal here or there that decides matches.
Yes there will be an odd drubbing but it has tightened up this season.
I know we could be easier on the eye, but results wise are the other teams so far above us, they are only taking wins by 1 goal.
It is so close this season 2 wins or 2 losses could see a team top 3 or bottom 4.
We have seen some of the worst luck against us dodgy pens, own goals, keepers playing out of their skins.
We played Palace had 6 on target and 1 went in, keeper exceptional, Liverpool 7 on target 5 went in keeper crap.
Similarly 2 great saves and the post on Wednesday night cost us at Fulham.
We aren’t great on the eye, team selection is wrong but we ain’t getting the rub of the green either.
Big win amarra COYS.
ND …. That’s a nice drop of reality.
I am in agreement there Geof with your post reply to ND. COYS
Truth is, i’m convinced that we can thrash the Blades today.
We don’t have to thrash them to win it, but it would cheer us all up for a day at least, if we do…
So, an optimistic prediction from me today.
Blades 0-5 Spurs! But, 0-4 will do…
Up the Spurs!
HT…you always have to go 1 goal better in optimism, love it, lol! COYS
I think I just love the number 5! 😉
I’m a fan of 4 and, 3 makes me happy too…. But 5 just sounds that much better…
Niall….you’re not wrong with much of your post but the negativity is as much to do with frustration of knowing what might be/have been if we just showed a little more adventure in our play, we could have been leading the way in the league now with just a little more ambition in our play.
It’s a difficult game to call in many ways, yes, the blades have only scored 9 goals in 18 games while we have the second best goals against record so you wouldn’t expect them to be getting a lot of scoring chances today. At the same time, they have only conceded 5 more goals than the league leaders so expect a tight game. What we shouldn’t be doing is inviting them to come on to us around our penalty area to give them some much needed shooting practice!
TQ 100%
Hence the reason why I mentioned us not being easy on the eye + our “negative” team selection.
PY apologies for not mentioning you in the Man U penalty post, I know you too are a Man U conspiricy theorist 🙂
ND…thanks, you and HT have both got me with a cheesy grin on my boatrace plus laughing, so a very cheerful day coming up.
Also what you saying at me being a MU Conspiracy Theorist lol! to be honest I always have been! COYS
Hugo Lloris (C)
Aurier Toby Dier Davies
Sissoko Hojbjerg
Bergwijn Ndombele Son
Harry Kane
4-2-3-1
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Delusional Spurs fan of the day: HT
Two things strike me reading these comments. First one is its not a choice between attack and defence. We saw against Arsenal how its supposed to work, take a two goal lead, therefore take control of the match (you never have control with a one goal lead) and then control the game. But we aren’t getting the two goal lead, that’s what Jose has to sort out.
The second thing is if Mourinho doesn’t sort it out where do we go next ? Levy tried Pochettino, a young manager with new ideas. He got us a fair distance but didn’t win trophies and in the last season and a half he seemed to slowly lose the plot. Now he’s trying an experienced manager with a record of success. If that doesn’t work either what can he try next ? I haven’t a clue.
Lloris (C), Aurier, Rodon, Dier, Davies, Reguilon, Hojbjerg, Ndombele, Bergwijn, Son, Kane
Subs:
Hart Toby Sanchez Gedson Sissoko Lamela Bale Lucas Vinicius
Seems like we are playing a different formation for every game, no wonder the players always look confused!
:- )