... for now
I'll start this article with a few statistics in the league (taken from bluesky):
Games decided by more than One Goal: 7-0-1
Games decided by One Goal: 0-0-10
Games where xGD is within .7xG: 2-2-8
Games decided by 1xG or more: 5-1-4
Whereas in the cups with games decided by 1 goal we are 6-1-2.
If we managed to shift our ppg in games decided by 1 goal in the PL we would be 21 points better off (45 points and 2nd in the table)
Obviously overturning every 1 goal game is unrealistic but it is informative of what our issues as a club are, and that is the lack of difference makers - and injuries haven't helped.
On another thread I did an exercise of what rating I'd give the players and it jumped out to me how many players we have in the 6.5-8/10 bracket, my summary was 14 of our players. Yet aside from Kulu I wouldn't rate any of our players higher, and this is what separates us more than anything from the teams we are looking to compete against.
Salah, Diaz, Saka, Odegaard, Palmer, KDB, Haaland, Isak etc. These are the kind of difference makers that every top team needs to compete at the very highest. I think its an important aspect to consider, look at Man Utd with another average squad showing no differences with NEW SHINY MANAGER (who was probably the best available appointment for them at the time).
Regarding Ange we can evaluate the two biggest talking points about Spurs and how we have been under his leadership:
Style of play/Tactics: Personally I really like how he sets up our team, it is the modern approach and how almost all effective managers set their teams up to succeed. It is high risk and high reward and I think well designed. The issue is we create so many opportunities for the wingers to generate goal-scoring opportunities, and our wingers are mid-table quality at best meaning we don't benefit from our strengths. Additionally it asks a lot of our 6 which is why Bissouma (who I rate) makes so many mistakes as he is required to take a lot of risks in buildup and cover way too much space defensively. I'm also not a fan of our constant pressing when out-of-possession but think that is more situational rather than definitely an issue going forward.
Tactically/in-game subs Ange is ok has bad games and good games.
Injuries: I think people are fed up of hearing 'injuries' as a reason - but our squad depletion is about as bad as I've ever seen from our club and is a legitimate reason why we can't perform. Our injury x from the game vs Everton:
Vicario
Romero VDV Udogie
Bentancur Bissouma
BJ Solanke Werner Odobert
This has a knock-on effect for the rest of the team where Kulu and Porro look absolutely spent after not being able to get a rest. Its as simple as that reason as to why we aren't winning currently.
The worrying part for me is the fact that it isn't a coincidence; we are signing a lot of players without a history of injury issues who are getting frequently injured under Ange's training methods.
Additionally, the lack of rest we gave our players earlier in the season (Spence should have played more, could have rotated Maddison/Kulu more effectively etc) - although he has bad luck (Bentancur racism, Moore 2 month illness, Dragu getting himself suspended).
Without European football next season this will ease - but has to be addressed.
Honestly, I don't think Ange is the right man to lead us forward in the long term - as I think he is too stubborn with his methods and doesn't look like he will change (conversely I would have said the same thing about Poch early on who then adapted well). I do think he is leading us in the right direction, even if the table doesn't say so. I think he will leave us in a far better place than when he came in and set up a good platform for the next manager to progress with - especially as the signings have been for the future. I also don't think there is another candidate out there who is an obvious upgrade (please spare me with Iraola from people who only follow their results from a distance).
While we are in the cups, and where we are in the league - with no chance of getting relegated - it is worth keeping him and addressing other issues with the team (biggest issue is winger quality). Then re-evaluate in the summer.
COYS
Angenostic - Why I'm still Ange in..
posted on 21/1/25
Sandy
My point wasn't that it's all the injuries fault. It's that specific injuries impact us a lot more than others. I think the PPG without them is artificially low because of all the other injuries we've had. But take that 1.6 over the season so far and we're on 35 points. Below Villa but above Brighton. Forest and Bournemouth aside, about where we can expect to be with this squad. IMO
posted on 21/1/25
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 7 hours, 43 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 6 hours, 17 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 3 hours, 22 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 2 hours, 19 minutes ago
The problem with Aussieglue is that he can only think one way....he's the ultimate one trick pony.
He is incapable of changing tactics mid-match. Everyone knows what he's going to do, even if we're one goal up with ten minutes to play.
Unfortunately there are times in a match when you have to park the bus......or change tactics.
Other managers have worked out how to play against him. Moyes had his number from the get-go.
I do not see how Aussieglue can succeed in the prem.....even if Levy finds some gold standard players to buy.
So he has got to go.....back to Aussie land.
The question is....when.
And that depends on whose around to take over.
Right now, I don't know of anyone good who'd take over. So we might just be stuck with this guy for a while.
I wish for better for the players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Always difficult to converse with a grown man who uses 'Aussieglue' frequently and earnestly. That isn't true about his tactics, which are often tweaked even if he isn't a master at it. It is just lazy analysis or the viewer doesn't understand football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Guess you didn't watch the Everton game?
Or if you did, you certainly didn't understand what was going on!
Did you like Aussieglue's 3 man back line?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That was literally a game where we changed our tactics mid-match - including a formation change. We also changed our tactics midweek against arsenal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You're seeing things you want to see that aren't there. Take a look at what Mack is saying on this board.
posted on 21/1/25
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 8 hours, 38 minutes ago
comment by Devil (U6522)
posted 10 minutes ago
Something that goes under the radar with these types of managers - Ange, Sarri, Bielsa, etc... they're not young player friendly.
Makes sense, if a very specific (possession heavy) style is the primary focus, players who can play it are all that matter.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I just don't think that is true regarding Ange, despite his other faults. From all accounts the players speak very highly of him.
------------------------------------------------
Not what I meant, lemme rephrase. Youth development isn't one of their concerns.
People tend to pool coaches with so-called progressive mindsets into neat categories which includes being good with young players, and more often than not it's not the case. What tends to happen is coaches who like a physically intensive style like young players (makes sense), and one's who favour a technical style like senior pros (also makes sense).
posted on 21/1/25
So Ange likes both sets of players?
posted on 22/1/25
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 4 hours, 30 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 7 hours, 43 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 6 hours, 17 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 3 hours, 22 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 2 hours, 19 minutes ago
The problem with Aussieglue is that he can only think one way....he's the ultimate one trick pony.
He is incapable of changing tactics mid-match. Everyone knows what he's going to do, even if we're one goal up with ten minutes to play.
Unfortunately there are times in a match when you have to park the bus......or change tactics.
Other managers have worked out how to play against him. Moyes had his number from the get-go.
I do not see how Aussieglue can succeed in the prem.....even if Levy finds some gold standard players to buy.
So he has got to go.....back to Aussie land.
The question is....when.
And that depends on whose around to take over.
Right now, I don't know of anyone good who'd take over. So we might just be stuck with this guy for a while.
I wish for better for the players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Always difficult to converse with a grown man who uses 'Aussieglue' frequently and earnestly. That isn't true about his tactics, which are often tweaked even if he isn't a master at it. It is just lazy analysis or the viewer doesn't understand football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Guess you didn't watch the Everton game?
Or if you did, you certainly didn't understand what was going on!
Did you like Aussieglue's 3 man back line?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That was literally a game where we changed our tactics mid-match - including a formation change. We also changed our tactics midweek against arsenal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You're seeing things you want to see that aren't there. Take a look at what Mack is saying on this board.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No mate...you're blind. Spurs approach has been tweaked quite heavily in recent weeks and was completely changed up for the EFC game and quit far removed from Angeball for Arsenal and Liverpool games.
I suggest you re watch some games froma year ago and compare because the educated eye can see plenty of differences. Not a whole new tactic but clear changes.
I am not surprised these have passed you by, to be honest.
posted on 22/1/25
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 24 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 4 hours, 30 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 7 hours, 43 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 6 hours, 17 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 3 hours, 22 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 2 hours, 19 minutes ago
The problem with Aussieglue is that he can only think one way....he's the ultimate one trick pony.
He is incapable of changing tactics mid-match. Everyone knows what he's going to do, even if we're one goal up with ten minutes to play.
Unfortunately there are times in a match when you have to park the bus......or change tactics.
Other managers have worked out how to play against him. Moyes had his number from the get-go.
I do not see how Aussieglue can succeed in the prem.....even if Levy finds some gold standard players to buy.
So he has got to go.....back to Aussie land.
The question is....when.
And that depends on whose around to take over.
Right now, I don't know of anyone good who'd take over. So we might just be stuck with this guy for a while.
I wish for better for the players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Always difficult to converse with a grown man who uses 'Aussieglue' frequently and earnestly. That isn't true about his tactics, which are often tweaked even if he isn't a master at it. It is just lazy analysis or the viewer doesn't understand football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Guess you didn't watch the Everton game?
Or if you did, you certainly didn't understand what was going on!
Did you like Aussieglue's 3 man back line?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That was literally a game where we changed our tactics mid-match - including a formation change. We also changed our tactics midweek against arsenal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You're seeing things you want to see that aren't there. Take a look at what Mack is saying on this board.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No mate...you're blind. Spurs approach has been tweaked quite heavily in recent weeks and was completely changed up for the EFC game and quit far removed from Angeball for Arsenal and Liverpool games.
I suggest you re watch some games froma year ago and compare because the educated eye can see plenty of differences. Not a whole new tactic but clear changes.
I am not surprised these have passed you by, to be honest.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bullshit!
posted on 22/1/25
comment by Bãleș left boot (U22081)
posted 9 hours, 36 minutes ago
Sandy
My point wasn't that it's all the injuries fault. It's that specific injuries impact us a lot more than others. I think the PPG without them is artificially low because of all the other injuries we've had. But take that 1.6 over the season so far and we're on 35 points. Below Villa but above Brighton. Forest and Bournemouth aside, about where we can expect to be with this squad. IMO
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes mate, I get your point. Having up to 10 players out has to take its toll trying to compete in four competitions. Kulu, Porro, Gray, Draguson etc all need resting Thursday, but they will all need to start on Thursday because of lack of injured players.
posted on 22/1/25
Amount of players who have picked up a Hamstring injury this season compared across clubs who are playing in Europe this season:
Spurs: 9 (10 injuries)
Chelsea - 4 (6 injuries)
Man C - 4 (4)
Liverpool - 4 (4)
Villa - 4 (4)
Arsenal - 3 (3)
Man U - 2 (2)
posted on 22/1/25
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 6 hours, 55 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 24 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 4 hours, 30 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 7 hours, 43 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 6 hours, 17 minutes ago
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 3 hours, 22 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 2 hours, 19 minutes ago
The problem with Aussieglue is that he can only think one way....he's the ultimate one trick pony.
He is incapable of changing tactics mid-match. Everyone knows what he's going to do, even if we're one goal up with ten minutes to play.
Unfortunately there are times in a match when you have to park the bus......or change tactics.
Other managers have worked out how to play against him. Moyes had his number from the get-go.
I do not see how Aussieglue can succeed in the prem.....even if Levy finds some gold standard players to buy.
So he has got to go.....back to Aussie land.
The question is....when.
And that depends on whose around to take over.
Right now, I don't know of anyone good who'd take over. So we might just be stuck with this guy for a while.
I wish for better for the players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Always difficult to converse with a grown man who uses 'Aussieglue' frequently and earnestly. That isn't true about his tactics, which are often tweaked even if he isn't a master at it. It is just lazy analysis or the viewer doesn't understand football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Guess you didn't watch the Everton game?
Or if you did, you certainly didn't understand what was going on!
Did you like Aussieglue's 3 man back line?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That was literally a game where we changed our tactics mid-match - including a formation change. We also changed our tactics midweek against arsenal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You're seeing things you want to see that aren't there. Take a look at what Mack is saying on this board.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No mate...you're blind. Spurs approach has been tweaked quite heavily in recent weeks and was completely changed up for the EFC game and quit far removed from Angeball for Arsenal and Liverpool games.
I suggest you re watch some games froma year ago and compare because the educated eye can see plenty of differences. Not a whole new tactic but clear changes.
I am not surprised these have passed you by, to be honest.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bullshit!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can lead a horse to water.....
posted on 22/1/25
comment by Mack (U6574)
posted 54 minutes ago
Amount of players who have picked up a Hamstring injury this season compared across clubs who are playing in Europe this season:
Spurs: 9 (10 injuries)
Chelsea - 4 (6 injuries)
Man C - 4 (4)
Liverpool - 4 (4)
Villa - 4 (4)
Arsenal - 3 (3)
Man U - 2 (2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's weird because some of our hammys you'd expect, being pacey VDV Werner BJ. Udogie does cover a lot of distance but the likes of Davies and Bissouma.
Last season Son had the most sprint of anyone in the league (859) ahead of Gordon (844). Deki was 8th with 682. Neither these guys have suffered really.
Its gonna be a hard one to really pin down because it seems a bit indiscriminate.