Not often do we not pick up 3 points and end the weekend in arguably a stronger position that we started it, but this was one of those.
We can draw a lot of parallels between this game and the 2-0 victory over Chelsea earlier in the season.
Much like Chelsea did, we came into the game the form team with the tried and tested 523 formation. Thus offering up no tactical surprise when we faced strong opponents. This, I believe, is what caused our undoing for much of the first half.
When the team lineups where I announced, I was very confident in us obtaining the three points, due to an absurdly attacking linup from City. Yet within minutes you could see the intentions of Pep and his class shine through.
Due to no tactical surprises on our behalf Pep knew that our aim was to provide width and attacking impetus from the wing-backs while the front three were allowed to roam and create havoc in attack, and press in defence.
We were outthought in this aspect, the high energy and attacking threat of the lightening quick Sane & Sterling, our fullbacks were scared to leave our half and whenever we went to attack and hassled on the ball worse than they have been at any other time this season. This meant that whenever we had the ball with Alli, Kane or Eriksen we were often 3 against 5 with our front three all looking for the ball in similar positions, not stretching their defence at all.
Credit to Poch, he then identified the 523 wasn't working early on and changed to a 433, pushing Dier into the midfield. We still looked a bit shell-shocked from the opposition onslaught, and Wimmer who was clearly targeted with the press was having an awful performance.
What City also did effectively, is mix up their possesional play with quick direct passes to the electric front three who were stretching the defence constantly making quick runs into the channel and causing our back four havoc. With the immense passing qualities De Bruyne, Silva & Yaya possess; Sane, Sterling and Aguero were constantly found and our pressing play was easily bypassed.
If it wasn't for some exceptional last gasp defending, mainly by Dier, Rose and Toby then the scoreline could have been different.
Unfortunately by this stage Walker wasn't playing well due to him looking injured due to a tacle in which Sane could have easily seen red.
In the second half Poch made the right substitution, replacing Wimmer for Son, changing to a 4231 and the game was a lot more even second half. If it wasn't for Lloris having an absolutely shocking half we could have possibly even gotten the three points.
The heavily changed lineup in the end got an impressive point against a formidable opposition, and credit where its due, this side have a nack of getting results unlike Spurs teams we have ever seen before. (plus a bit of luck thanks to the ref)
With hindsight Poch should have started with a 4231, we should have sacrificed the extra defender to target their weakest asset, their defence. Plus in tricky away games, you need a player who can run into the channels to get on the end of hopeful clearances, something that Son excels at whilst Kane doesn't. Hopefully Poch will learn from his mistakes as he has seemed to so often this season.
Player ratings:
Lloris - 3 - Two mistakes that horrific deserve that kind of score, even if he had a superb first half
Walker - 5.5 - phenomenal assist, but looked leggy due to a bad kick from Sane
Toby - 7 - Exceptional as always
Dier - 7.5 - Considering he played in three different positions, he looked solid in each
Wimmer - 2.5 - One to forget
Rose - 6.5 - Good defensively, but poor going forward compared to normal
Wanyama - 8.5 - Our MOTM, exceptional in midfield and accomplished in defence
Dembele - 7 - Good in places but held onto the ball too long in instances when we needed to retain possession
Alli - 6.5 - Great goal, but didn't do much aside from that, hard to impose
Eriksen - 6.5 - A key part in every attacking move we had, but much of the same as Alli
Kane - 5 - Another poor away performance vs a top side for Harry, I don't think his playing style suits it
Son - 7.5 - Really excelled when coming on
Winks - 7.5 - Considering at one point he was our only midfielder he held his own
Sissoko - N/A
COYS
An interesting weekend
posted on 23/1/17
Yeah especially considering you were lucky to get away with a point.
posted on 23/1/17
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 3 minutes ago
Another important thing to remember is, even if we cannot win the league it's really important for us as a club to try and consolidate our CL status. Back to back top 4 finishes would be a real achievement in the context of our PL history. On that basis Saturday was a good result as we've made a fellow top 4 rival drop 2 home points they should've bagged. City have now taken 1 point from 6. In the long run, the result could be better than it seemed on the day.
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well absolutely. must become top 4 regulars as we move into new stadium.
if we play at Wembley next season I am pretty sure we will have a poor league campaign at home, but you never know
posted on 23/1/17
I'm absolutely dreading playing our league games at Wembley next season. The main reason being that the pitch seems to have some sort of undefinable energy sapping characteristic. In our CL games our players were going down like ninepins. Cramp and muscle pulls were to be seen all over the place. Also factor in that the opposition will treat it like a great day out and probably raise their game we could have a difficult season. If that results in missing out on CL the following season when we play at the new stadium that would be a severe and serious setback.
posted on 23/1/17
comment by Park Lane Geezer (U10205)
posted 1 minute ago
I'm absolutely dreading playing our league games at Wembley next season. The main reason being that the pitch seems to have some sort of undefinable energy sapping characteristic. In our CL games our players were going down like ninepins. Cramp and muscle pulls were to be seen all over the place. Also factor in that the opposition will treat it like a great day out and probably raise their game we could have a difficult season. If that results in missing out on CL the following season when we play at the new stadium that would be a severe and serious setback.
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if we actually go ahead and play at Wembley then I don't even see us finishing in the top 6. genuinely.
I reckon our home form will be half way up the league, at best
posted on 23/1/17
genuinely hope that we find a way to either use the new stadium next season, or go to MK dons... league campaign at Wembley has trouble written all over it.
plus from a selfish point of view, I facking hate Wembley, probably not helped by having been there 4 times to watch spurs in recent times and we have lost every single one, including a semi final and a final.
its just not home. who wants to play their games in a massive red stadium? fack that
posted on 23/1/17
comment by Park Lane Geezer (U10205)
posted 3 minutes ago
I'm absolutely dreading playing our league games at Wembley next season. The main reason being that the pitch seems to have some sort of undefinable energy sapping characteristic. In our CL games our players were going down like ninepins. Cramp and muscle pulls were to be seen all over the place. Also factor in that the opposition will treat it like a great day out and probably raise their game we could have a difficult season. If that results in missing out on CL the following season when we play at the new stadium that would be a severe and serious setback.
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Is that to do with Wembley or the fact hardly anyone had a preseason due to the euros?
It's only been on the last 6 weeks players look as fit as they did last season.
This year they get a decent break & preseason so should be better equipped to handle the big pitch. ( don't forget NWHL will also have a big pitch )
posted on 23/1/17
comment by Chronic (U3423)
posted 2 minutes ago
genuinely hope that we find a way to either use the new stadium next season, or go to MK dons... league campaign at Wembley has trouble written all over it.
plus from a selfish point of view, I facking hate Wembley, probably not helped by having been there 4 times to watch spurs in recent times and we have lost every single one, including a semi final and a final.
its just not home. who wants to play their games in a massive red stadium? fack that
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Blame the fans... Wembley was overwhelmingly voted by them for us to go there.
Logically MK was the best stadium to use. 30k modern stadium that can get a great atmosphere but no because they are a 'franchise' team most fans spit there dummy out.
posted on 23/1/17
Is it not definitely signed and sealed that we will be playing at Wembley next season? If not what are the options other than MK Dons place?
Playing at Wembley for a whole season will be surreal and not in a good way.
posted on 23/1/17
Big H
I didn't think the issue with the Wembley pitch is its size that causes problems. It's some other reason that's hard to identify that causes the problems re stamina/cramps and muscle pulls/injuries.
posted on 23/1/17
Lloris - 2 his mistakes were inexcusable, just because we didn't play great, this won't be seen as him dropping us vital 2 points
Walker - 4 looked sluggish at times, defensively out of position a lot of the time, gets a 4 mainly for his cross for goal 1
Rose - 5, same as Walker but gets a 5 for 'that tackle'
Dier - 3, don't like his body language looks like he has an attitude, average in a centre back 2 and careless on the ball in dangerous areas
Wimmer - 0 didn't put a foot right
Toby - 7, usual self solid
Wanyama - 8 he's quality, especially in games like these
Dembele - 6 done well at times but took forever releasing the ball forward
Alli - 4 constantly carried the ball backwards and just falls over trying to get a free kick, gets away with murder cause he's in the right places scoring goals
Eriksen - 6 similar to Dembele, most attacking threat came through him, he makes us tick, we don't have another player like him
Kane - 2 see Wimmer, but he's Harry Kane and he did a nice lay off for Son's goal, so he gets a mark
Son - 8 changed the game when he came on, always a goal threat, good
Winks - 7 really like him, puts in a shift, good on the ball
Sissoko - can't remember him coming on