Came across this fairly well written article in the Telegraph this morning about our recent abysmal record against the big teams Thoughts?
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Hugo Lloris had had enough. It was the dying days of the Tim Sherwood era, and after another capitulation against a big club, he went on the warpath.
"We have to show more character," he said. "It will be difficult to do worse next season, especially against the top four or five teams. We sometimes had the feeling that we gave up this season. We can't allow this kind of behaviour."
Four months and one new manager later, and Tottenham were up against Liverpool. It was still early days for new manager Mauricio Pochettino, but Lloris had seen enough to be optimistic.
"We changed a lot of things," he said. "We have a new manager, with his own staff. We believe in his concept and his philosophy, and we want to show everyone we have the potential to be a good team in the league."
In the event, Tottenham were spanked 3-0 at home by a Liverpool side who by common consent have been a shadow of the team they were last season. It was a defeat that prolonged an atrocious record against the elite of English football. Since the start of 2012, Tottenham have played 24 games against the "Big 4", and lost 16......
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11166890/Tottenham-Hotspur-keep-getting-thrashed-by-the-big-clubs-why-does-it-happen.html
Our poor record against the top teams...
posted on 17/10/14
Don`t Spurs have their best record against Man United in the past two or three seasons, than they have had in a quarter of a century. Not all bad. And Man United have to be considered one of the elite, don`t they.
posted on 17/10/14
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posted on 17/10/14
comment by thesingingangel (U20025)
posted 9 minutes ago
Don`t Spurs have their best record against Man United in the past two or three seasons, than they have had in a quarter of a century. Not all bad. And Man United have to be considered one of the elite, don`t they.
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Agreed, he does mention that in the article - He seems to focus on Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal
posted on 17/10/14
the reason is very simple.
spurs are a good team, but our managers have thought we better than we are, therefore try to go toe to toe with these sides (particularly away from home), and as they are better than us, we get smashed.
we are in that tricky position between probably a bit too good to be all out parking the bus like the lower sides do (which is why they don't really get smashed very often in these games), but not really good enough to go toe to toe with them.
Poch had it right against arsenal.. basically taking on the athletico Madrid model.... "we are a good side, but technically you are better than us, so we are gonna respect that, and use teamwork and organisation to stay in the game, and then the quality which we do have will shine through and we will get a result"
if athletico Madrid tried to go toe to toe with barca and real and all out attack them then they would have lost convincingly.
G Neville said something similar on sky earlier this season, its about losing the ego, admitting that the other side have better players, and coming up with a plan to get a result.
not doing the typical spurs thing.... "faack it, we are spurs, we like to attack, we are gonna fly at you, and score 2, but you will score 5 because you are better going forward than we are... "
posted on 17/10/14
Good point Chronic - It makes me think that Levy ACTUALLY knew what he was doing by hiring Poch whose tactics and team spirit could make the difference this year!
posted on 17/10/14
"Tottenham were spanked 3-0 at home by a Liverpool side who by common consent have been a shadow of the team they were last season. It was a defeat that prolonged an atrocious record against the elite of English football"
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Liverpool the elite of English football, really
Written by a Bin Dipper no doubt.
posted on 17/10/14
comment by Chronic - is 100% behind Poch! (U3423)
posted 17 minutes ago
the reason is very simple.
spurs are a good team, but our managers have thought we better than we are, therefore try to go toe to toe with these sides (particularly away from home), and as they are better than us, we get smashed.
we are in that tricky position between probably a bit too good to be all out parking the bus like the lower sides do (which is why they don't really get smashed very often in these games), but not really good enough to go toe to toe with them.
Poch had it right against arsenal.. basically taking on the athletico Madrid model.... "we are a good side, but technically you are better than us, so we are gonna respect that, and use teamwork and organisation to stay in the game, and then the quality which we do have will shine through and we will get a result"
if athletico Madrid tried to go toe to toe with barca and real and all out attack them then they would have lost convincingly.
G Neville said something similar on sky earlier this season, its about losing the ego, admitting that the other side have better players, and coming up with a plan to get a result.
not doing the typical spurs thing.... "faack it, we are spurs, we like to attack, we are gonna fly at you, and score 2, but you will score 5 because you are better going forward than we are... "
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Totally Agree, this is also sometimes fuelled by the 'two up front' brigade. doesn't matter how many upfront if you can't control the midfield battle or stay organised.
I hope Poch puts organisation first especially away from home.
posted on 17/10/14
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posted on 17/10/14
You were excellent at Old Trafford last year. We've had the rub of the green against you a few times with penalties and the like in the past so it's not like you've only just started competing with United.