A great game of football and a good result. A few posters were suggesting before the game that this was a 'must-win' game, but in my opinion a draw is a good result. I made this our 4th/5th toughest remaining game (after City away, Liverpool away, Arsenal home and possibly Chelsea away), so to take a point is no bad thing, especially considering the form of Lukaku and Deulofeu.
Onto the article! A few will remember that I wrote a few in this format towards the start of the season. I don't really like match ratings, which tend to be skewed by goals, so here are my observations:
1. Settled first XI
This is the most settled, and obvious, first XI I can remember since the very successful days of Harry Redknapp. The back 5 (minus LB rotation) is a given, as is Dier, Alli and Kane centrally with Eriksen and Lamela on the flanks. I've always believed you need consistency in your starting team to be successful, and I've never been a big believer in rotation. The understanding between Toby and Vert shone today in thwarting Lukaku, and Alli and Kane had their moments of link-up play as well. Long may the stability continue.
2. Dele Alli
Quite obviously our man of the match today, his touches into Kane (that chested through ball!) were superb, and his goal will no doubt be overlooked as a potential goal of the month in favour of long shots which require far less technique. The only criticism of him, and I'm being very picky, is that often his distribution in the final third is slow, with the ball getting caught under his feet. That'll improve as he continues to adjust to PL pace. What a player, and we must tie him down to an improved contract in the summer to prevent him getting tempted to look elsewhere. He is our future.
3. Tom Carroll
To be honest, I don't fully know where I stand regarding Carroll. His distribution is excellent, his pressing perfect for Poch and he's even started to add a few goals to his game. But he is weak in the tackle, not very athletic and towards the end of the game he really left the middle of the pitch wide open, probably due to fatigue. I think Poch's decision not to substitute him off for Mason/Bentaleb is a concern, both for Mason's fitness and Bentaleb's quality. He should have been substituted off around the 80th minute. Obviously when Dembele comes back Tom will return to being a squad player.
4. Everton
Very good side (the table doesn't reflect their quality) and Stones I have no doubt will become England captain within a decade. With Jagielka to come back they will rise up the league and take many points off our rivals. I really think we will look back as this being a valuable point. Yes we've lost ground on the leaders and United have made up ground, but their fixtures were considerably easier and we will regain ground when these teams play Everton.
5. The 'philosophy'
I love how this is becoming clearer by the week. Press high up the pitch, aim to counter quickly once the ball is won and use the full backs for width with Dier covering if we are in possession. With most top sides preferring not to play direct football (which is our weakness), our pressing game will be very successful. It does require superb fitness, perhaps why we often end games a little lethargic, but we HAVE a philosophy. Not many other top teams do at the moment (think Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Man City). I'm thrilled to have Poch and look forward to what the future with him may bring.
We have a very young side which is learning all the time. With a little bit of squad depth to be added (up front and DM) there is nothing stopping us from being competitive in any game and as a result future title contenders. I love this current team and it is a pleasure to support Tottenham at the moment. Come on you Spurs!
Thoughts After Watching the Game
posted on 3/1/16
Arsenal always implode aroundabout February, this season will be no different, they have a lot of hard away games to play, and a couple of batterings off of Barca to come, that should bring them down to earth.
posted on 3/1/16
comment by Dont cry for me Argentina we have Pochetinno and Lamela (formely avb easy as 123) (U17539)
posted 30 minutes ago
Kaisers trainers
"Spurs bossed the first half, Everton the 2nd"
Really ? Yes we did boss the first half but 2nd half it was even, Everton certainly didn't boss any half today.
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I thought they were clearly the better side in the second half
posted on 3/1/16
comment by sandy, senior citizen, but young at heart (U20567)
posted 17 minutes ago
Arsenal always implode aroundabout February, this season will be no different, they have a lot of hard away games to play, and a couple of batterings off of Barca to come, that should bring them down to earth.
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No they don't, they've caught us up twice in recent years after February.
posted on 3/1/16
Among the players not mentioned in this thread are Lamela and Lloris.
Llamela is fast becoming the Lionel Messi of Spurs. It is his midfield play that makes the chances and draws defenses for Kane and Alli.
And Hugo kept us in the game second half ... dont forget that.
And finally, Toby Alderweireld is the find of the season as far as I am concerned. Really added solidity to the back in partnership with Vertonghen, which is why we dont lose.
posted on 4/1/16
ioned in this thread are Lamela and Lloris.
Llamela is fast becoming the Lionel Messi of Spurs. It is his midfield play that makes the chances and draws defenses for Kane and Alli.
And Hugo kept us in the game second half ... dont forget that.
And finally, Toby Alderweireld is the find of the season as far as I am concerned. Really added solidity to the back in partnership with Vertonghen, which is why we dont lose.
Careful Ted, you don't want Chicken on your back now do you?
posted on 4/1/16
I really think we will look back as this being a valuable point. Yes we've lost ground on the leaders and United have made up ground, but their fixtures were considerably easier and we will regain ground when these teams play Everton.
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Our biggest away win in the league came at this ground and we missed 4 sitters. In fact this was our joint biggest win this season along with Sunderlans game. You have dropped 4 points to Everton. Lets hope you start drawing regularly again.
posted on 4/1/16
comment by Ledley's knee surgeon: Football Manager legend. 5th Ballon D'or is imminent.. (U20121)
posted 18 hours, 13 minutes ago
comment by sandy, senior citizen, but young at heart (U20567)
posted 17 minutes ago
Arsenal always implode aroundabout February, this season will be no different, they have a lot of hard away games to play, and a couple of batterings off of Barca to come, that should bring them down to earth.
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No they don't, they've caught us up twice in recent years after February.
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they usually crash out of all competitions around then, and then go on a mad run of form to secure top 4.
and the cycle continues
posted on 4/1/16
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 5 hours, 6 minutes ago
I really think we will look back as this being a valuable point. Yes we've lost ground on the leaders and United have made up ground, but their fixtures were considerably easier and we will regain ground when these teams play Everton.
.....................
Our biggest away win in the league came at this ground and we missed 4 sitters. In fact this was our joint biggest win this season along with Sunderlans game. You have dropped 4 points to Everton. Lets hope you start drawing regularly again.
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Spurs were better than Utd,even tho we lost to you. Utd didn't have to do much to beat us that day,some claim losing Kendall had an impact,but I'm not so sure. We were awful in the first half against Spurs,but came into it the second. Against Utd we were rotten from start to finish. Win,lose or draw we normally give most teams a game,against Utd we just didn't turn up.
posted on 4/1/16
We done that to other teams as well under LVG. When the philosophy kicks in it looks very good and makes many opponents look silly.
posted on 5/1/16
United just got lucky that game, it was an off day for us.