I think you have to view Spurs' lofty achievements so far this season with a real degree of respect and optimism.
We sit top of the league. We have just played City Chelsea and Arsenal, conceded no goals and taken 7 from 9 points.
Since shipping 3 late goals vs WHU, Spurs have conceded just 1 goal in 6 games and W5D1L0 F8 A1 PTS16.
We are unbeaten since game week 1. 10 games, with 24 points taken.
You have to put this into perspective.
Jose has been here a year after arriving last Nov. and having his first season hampered by injuries & then covid. This is the first full season and even then the traditional pre-season couldnt happen, so its been a case of drilling players on the training pitch, acclimatising new signings somewhat on-the-hoof (as has been the same for a lot of teams).
No one really expected Spurs to be where they are, they were considered by most to be outside chance of top 4.
Our fixture schedule has been insane, and while this impacts on the fatigue and fitness of players, its also about taking time away from the training ground. Spurs have had a midweek game every week this season and 2 mid games in one week.
The results have been great. In recent weeks the defence has been extremely sound but the performances have been less attractive than the early season goal-fests.
I think there is very sound reason for this that goes beyond this being Jose's style and have alluded to them above. Our schedule has been crazy, you have to manage these situations well and ultimately come out of the end of them with points/progress. No point playing teams off the park like NUFC and WHU and taking 2 points.
Also, we are a developing team, one disjointed year into Jose's tenure. There is clearly more progress to be made and you hear it in the interviews after games - vs CFC and Arsenal we have heard Kane, Dier, Jose all say that the 2nd half performances where we have conceded too much possession have not been how we want to play, have not been positive enough or shown enough quality. And you can understand this. We are a work in progress. Look where the likes of Klopp and Pep were 1 year into their reigns....did they have their teams purring in all areas.
We cannot expect Jose to go offensive crazy, we know what he is like but i think we can expect more from the team in these games where we have been too negative and invited too much pressure. That said it is good to know that we have been able to resist that pressure and this is now an excellent base to build from.
A work in progress
posted on 7/12/20
I watched some beautiful exciting football during Poch’s tenure and we were top of the league for 13 mins in January. Think we’ve been top these last 3 weekends.
But Jose’s football ain’t attractive, however , I will take it every day especially if we finally pick up a trophy 👍
posted on 7/12/20
comment by The Mighty Tottenham Hotspur. (U7858)
posted 28 minutes ago
I watched some beautiful exciting football during Poch’s tenure and we were top of the league for 13 mins in January. Think we’ve been top these last 3 weekends.
But Jose’s football ain’t attractive, however , I will take it every day especially if we finally pick up a trophy 👍
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Wow.
So you'd go through countless hours of utter dross, just to pick up a League Cup, or an FA Cup?
How fooking depressing. 😂
posted on 7/12/20
I think the issue we have at the moment is that at 2-0 up, José doesn't want to risk conceding.
At 0-0 or even 1-0, we look to break forward at the speed of light but at 2-0 the players hold their positions so we can't break at speed.
At the moment we then concede possession whereas out players need to learn how to keep the ball comfortably - even though we're not countering at pace.
posted on 7/12/20
Also, talking about a work in progress, Poch was sacked with us sitting on 14 points after 12 games.
José has us on 24 points with a game less played.
Quite remarkable in a year.
posted on 7/12/20
comment by Keyser Jöse (U3338)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
I think the issue we have at the moment is that at 2-0 up, José doesn't want to risk conceding.
At 0-0 or even 1-0, we look to break forward at the speed of light but at 2-0 the players hold their positions so we can't break at speed.
At the moment we then concede possession whereas out players need to learn how to keep the ball comfortably - even though we're not countering at pace.
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Indeed. This is what i mean about a work in progress.
The mentality has changed a lot. The defensive desire and organisation has changed massively.
We have the ability and quality to keep the ball better, but i think we are walking before we try to run. We've tried running in the past and come away from games without 3 points. The basics are getting ingrained right.
posted on 7/12/20
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 46 minutes ago
comment by Keyser Jöse (U3338)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
I think the issue we have at the moment is that at 2-0 up, José doesn't want to risk conceding.
At 0-0 or even 1-0, we look to break forward at the speed of light but at 2-0 the players hold their positions so we can't break at speed.
At the moment we then concede possession whereas out players need to learn how to keep the ball comfortably - even though we're not countering at pace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Indeed. This is what i mean about a work in progress.
The mentality has changed a lot. The defensive desire and organisation has changed massively.
We have the ability and quality to keep the ball better, but i think we are walking before we try to run. We've tried running in the past and come away from games without 3 points. The basics are getting ingrained right.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not just the defensive desire has changed the whole mindset and desire to win everything we can, every single challenge. It's fantastic to see.
PEH celebrated a tackle again yesterday
posted on 7/12/20
comment by Keyser Jöse (U3338)
posted 35 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 46 minutes ago
comment by Keyser Jöse (U3338)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
I think the issue we have at the moment is that at 2-0 up, José doesn't want to risk conceding.
At 0-0 or even 1-0, we look to break forward at the speed of light but at 2-0 the players hold their positions so we can't break at speed.
At the moment we then concede possession whereas out players need to learn how to keep the ball comfortably - even though we're not countering at pace.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Indeed. This is what i mean about a work in progress.
The mentality has changed a lot. The defensive desire and organisation has changed massively.
We have the ability and quality to keep the ball better, but i think we are walking before we try to run. We've tried running in the past and come away from games without 3 points. The basics are getting ingrained right.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not just the defensive desire has changed the whole mindset and desire to win everything we can, every single challenge. It's fantastic to see.
PEH celebrated a tackle again yesterday
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I was seriously underwhelmed by PEH in our first game vs Everton, but since then he has proved himself to be EXACTLY what we wanted and needed.
posted on 7/12/20
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 2 hours, 1 minute ago
We have the ability and quality to keep the ball better, but i think we are walking before we try to run. We've tried running in the past and come away from games without 3 points. The basics are getting ingrained right.
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Exactly this That's what I think is happening as well. Hope so anyway !!!!
Although if we're wrong and it does stay like this all the time, then as fans and supporters I think we just get behind it. Yes it's different, but if it's what wins us football matches then let's get into cheering tackles instead of shots and silky passes. Just needs a bit of adjustment that's all. If the players can do it then we should be able to. COYS.