I think Spurs could well go on a little run now. Only thing that I think may be their undoing is the defence as they do let in goals. Sort that and they'll be up there as they have some very winnable fixtures coming up.
We should be able to go on a good run. We have a more settled team now, and our form in between the Besiktas game and the Fiorentina game was very good, indicating what we can do without Europa.
It'll largely depend on the form of our key players though, most notably Kane and Eriksen, just as it has up to now, and so should they get injured or their form dries up, I'd be more willing to look at a) and c).
I think we all know there are question marks over certain squad members, Paulinho, Soldado(sadly for me) Ade (got to go) Townsend, (does not inspire me).
We may also lose Hugo if a whopping offer comes in from PSG or Madrid.
Poch will have identified his targets through Paul Mitchell etc, and hopefully these will materialise over the summer months, giving him time to integrate them into the squad.
I think we definitely need to sign two strong target men for upfront, possibly someone like Schneiderlin in midfield to give Bentaleb etc support.
Another strong centre back & if Hugo goes then another good back up goalkeeper.
We beat Chelsea 1 week and lost to Palace next.....no Europa in sight, having had a full weeks rest/training & no real injuries....that's how we roll.
I think yesterdays game showed us exactly what needs addressing:
1. We have a young team that will learn and develop, so we can expect a bit more game intelligence from them in time;
2. Our bench offered little that will change a game. Dembele was a different sort of option but all the rest offered nothing different from what was on the pitch. We need different options on the bench & in particular up front. We lack real pace, teams rarely have to worry about us getting in behind and we lack a physical option up front. I'd also say we have no plan B if Eriksen is off form/tired etc
We're a work in progress.....a cup final losing to CFC is no disgrace, Europe was disappointing but unfortunate it got caught up with the cup final, we're still in the race for top 4 and I'd say top 6 is a must. That would be a reasonable first season for Poch...you can see the progress being made, and its better than Rodgers did in his first season, for example.
OP
If you're referring to the remaining games of this current season, then option (c), the quality of the squad. It could be argued that this is linked with option (a), Levy.
Hopefully the club will support Poch in the summer and get the players that he wants, as well as getting rid of those he doesn't. If the club does back him then the blame for lack of consistency would (at the end of next season ) lie with Poch, which would be fair. However, I don't think that would happen. If Poch is backed we'll go from strength to strength.
compared to our top 4 rivals, we have a very kind run in on paper...... a decent chance for a good finish if the players remain focused.
Nice to finally get Saturdays back. Although means less likely we will be on TV (gift and a curse). I don't get to make it down to matches often nowadays.
Robbing_Hoody
I agree the defence does seem to let in far too many goals, but I think that is just the way Spurs play. They could just stick all 10 outfield players behind the ball, like Chelsea did for long periods yesterday, and bore the pants of everybody, but it is not really their style. Spurs will always remain open, because they like to attack most teams they play. Bit naïve agreed, but I wouldn`t want it changed to negative tactics just to try to keep clean sheets.
My only concern is that for the amount of possession they get most games, they should be creating and scoring twice the amount of goals they currently are. 65 per cent possession yesterday, and no goals scored is nothing short of criminal really.
I am expecting 6 points form Swansea and QPR this week.
4 points I suspect.
should be the qpr no hopers, but Swansea will be tough
As a Spurs fan... 'to Dare is to Expect'
Chronic
Swansea will not be that tough, and anything less than a win would not be good. They are an OK team, but Spurs should be able to beat them. If Spurs are really hoping to compete, they need to get a mindset of winning these sort of games like Arsenal do. No good in crushing Arsenal at home and then dropping points to the likes of Swansea and West Ham.
comment by sandy brown (U20258)
posted 6 seconds ago
Chronic
Swansea will not be that tough, and anything less than a win would not be good. They are an OK team, but Spurs should be able to beat them. If Spurs are really hoping to compete, they need to get a mindset of winning these sort of games like Arsenal do. No good in crushing Arsenal at home and then dropping points to the likes of Swansea and West Ham.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
to be fair we have a fantastic record against Swansea, but circumstances make it a tough game.
firstly they are a decent side in better form than we are in, and secondly we don't know how the players will react to the disappointing and no doubt draining week that we had.
Chronic
The players have to get themselves up and running quickly. No time for tears and self-pity, otherwise all the other teams will be over the hill and away. This week will sort out those that want to give their all.
comment by sandy brown (U20258)
posted 31 minutes ago
Chronic
Swansea will not be that tough, and anything less than a win would not be good. They are an OK team, but Spurs should be able to beat them. If Spurs are really hoping to compete, they need to get a mindset of winning these sort of games like Arsenal do. No good in crushing Arsenal at home and then dropping points to the likes of Swansea and West Ham.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I completely agree. The next step in Spurs' development (and it may as well start now) is to beat the teams that we should beat - particularly at home.
The Cup final should be a great progression for our young players. I'm not down from losing to Chelsea neither should they be.
They are runaway leaders of the premiership for a reason.
I just hope its created a hunger and big match experience for our younger players.
Spurs really need to turn their overwhelming possession in most games into winning performances. The last four games have seen them boss possession and have not won any of the games.
comment by sandy brown (U20258)
posted 14 minutes ago
Spurs really need to turn their overwhelming possession in most games into winning performances. The last four games have seen them boss possession and have not won any of the games.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Scoring early and having effective inside forwards is key.
The formation Poch plays needs at least 10 goals and 10 assists each from inside forwards...Townsend and Lamela have how many?
This is not going to change till the end of the season. We have inside forwards and 2nd and 3rd string strikers that can't score. Thats too many passengers to qualify for Champs league.
Let's see how we get on first..
We've only had 4 home defeats all season, all after Europa games.. and barely scraped a draw against West Ham.
I think if our form gets worse it'll probably be down to confidence and motivation - something Poch has to keep on top of now we can't win anything this season.
For sure we need to improve the squad if we don't want to have similar European hangovers next season.
Given our recent results, this is a MUST WIN game.
Now then, wot do I expect to happen?
Soldado to blast a sitter over the bar.
Eriksen to score just before HT.
Spurs to go in 1-0 up, but defense to wobble in second half as team gets tired, and swansea to draw even.
Kane to be well policed.
Townsend to try hard.
Soldado to miss yet another.
Final: 1-1. Yup, another damned draw.
I think the answer will be (a), although that is not my personal view.
Its also funny how 6th would be considered a good season under Poch, yet 6th was not good enough last season from a different manager.
The problem is for me, in the areas we have made changes, we have downgraded from the players we had - and i just hope posters realise that having new players does not automatically make them better (not that our comments affect anything, of course).
One problem we'll have now is keeping all players happy, because some of them may not get much game time at all from now until the end of season.
I hope our league form doesn't suffer too much over the recent disappointments.
Its also funny how 6th would be considered a good season under Poch, yet 6th was not good enough last season from a different manager.
----------
here we go
You couldn't resist it, could you Chicken?
A little innuendo about Sherwood, who is digging his own grave at Villa judging by his latest comments about making Villa great again
Greaves,
This is not a manager Vs manager debate. I just find it strange how 6th is not good enough one season - yet the next its acceptable - with the same group of players + signings.
Its a valid point. Just because it may make some of your historic opinions incorrect, doesn't mean i dont have the right to mention the truth.
I dont care what Sherwood does at Villa, what Harry does when he comes back, what AVB is doing at Zenit or what Jol is upto...this is not a pro / anti manager debate but just being consistent with my views and expectations on THFC.
6th will not be good enough. End of.
Chicken,
I think under current circumstances, 6th is a reasonable expectation for us, possibly 5th. We cannot compete with the money side of things until we have a new stadium, which I turn might help us afford the players we need to achieve consistent results and CL qualification.
It is a chicken (excuse the pun) and egg situation. What do we do first? Organic growth via youth development, or growth by procurement means. Either way is fraught with problems going forward.
Until we can match the revenue streams of clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea etc we will continue to lag just outside the top 4.
I have always maintained that this is a learning curve season for Pochettino, he has probably already decided who will be staying & who will be going in the summer. He has already shown that our fitness levels are amongst the best in the PL, and in most cases not easily rolled over.
Building on that will come in the summer & I expect us to improve quite a bit results wise next season.
Sign in if you want to comment
What IF....
Page 1 of 2
posted on 2/3/15
I think Spurs could well go on a little run now. Only thing that I think may be their undoing is the defence as they do let in goals. Sort that and they'll be up there as they have some very winnable fixtures coming up.
posted on 2/3/15
We should be able to go on a good run. We have a more settled team now, and our form in between the Besiktas game and the Fiorentina game was very good, indicating what we can do without Europa.
It'll largely depend on the form of our key players though, most notably Kane and Eriksen, just as it has up to now, and so should they get injured or their form dries up, I'd be more willing to look at a) and c).
posted on 2/3/15
I think we all know there are question marks over certain squad members, Paulinho, Soldado(sadly for me) Ade (got to go) Townsend, (does not inspire me).
We may also lose Hugo if a whopping offer comes in from PSG or Madrid.
Poch will have identified his targets through Paul Mitchell etc, and hopefully these will materialise over the summer months, giving him time to integrate them into the squad.
I think we definitely need to sign two strong target men for upfront, possibly someone like Schneiderlin in midfield to give Bentaleb etc support.
Another strong centre back & if Hugo goes then another good back up goalkeeper.
posted on 2/3/15
We beat Chelsea 1 week and lost to Palace next.....no Europa in sight, having had a full weeks rest/training & no real injuries....that's how we roll.
I think yesterdays game showed us exactly what needs addressing:
1. We have a young team that will learn and develop, so we can expect a bit more game intelligence from them in time;
2. Our bench offered little that will change a game. Dembele was a different sort of option but all the rest offered nothing different from what was on the pitch. We need different options on the bench & in particular up front. We lack real pace, teams rarely have to worry about us getting in behind and we lack a physical option up front. I'd also say we have no plan B if Eriksen is off form/tired etc
We're a work in progress.....a cup final losing to CFC is no disgrace, Europe was disappointing but unfortunate it got caught up with the cup final, we're still in the race for top 4 and I'd say top 6 is a must. That would be a reasonable first season for Poch...you can see the progress being made, and its better than Rodgers did in his first season, for example.
posted on 2/3/15
OP
If you're referring to the remaining games of this current season, then option (c), the quality of the squad. It could be argued that this is linked with option (a), Levy.
Hopefully the club will support Poch in the summer and get the players that he wants, as well as getting rid of those he doesn't. If the club does back him then the blame for lack of consistency would (at the end of next season ) lie with Poch, which would be fair. However, I don't think that would happen. If Poch is backed we'll go from strength to strength.
posted on 2/3/15
compared to our top 4 rivals, we have a very kind run in on paper...... a decent chance for a good finish if the players remain focused.
posted on 2/3/15
Nice to finally get Saturdays back. Although means less likely we will be on TV (gift and a curse). I don't get to make it down to matches often nowadays.
posted on 2/3/15
Robbing_Hoody
I agree the defence does seem to let in far too many goals, but I think that is just the way Spurs play. They could just stick all 10 outfield players behind the ball, like Chelsea did for long periods yesterday, and bore the pants of everybody, but it is not really their style. Spurs will always remain open, because they like to attack most teams they play. Bit naïve agreed, but I wouldn`t want it changed to negative tactics just to try to keep clean sheets.
My only concern is that for the amount of possession they get most games, they should be creating and scoring twice the amount of goals they currently are. 65 per cent possession yesterday, and no goals scored is nothing short of criminal really.
posted on 2/3/15
I am expecting 6 points form Swansea and QPR this week.
posted on 2/3/15
4 points I suspect.
should be the qpr no hopers, but Swansea will be tough
posted on 2/3/15
As a Spurs fan... 'to Dare is to Expect'
posted on 2/3/15
Chronic
Swansea will not be that tough, and anything less than a win would not be good. They are an OK team, but Spurs should be able to beat them. If Spurs are really hoping to compete, they need to get a mindset of winning these sort of games like Arsenal do. No good in crushing Arsenal at home and then dropping points to the likes of Swansea and West Ham.
posted on 2/3/15
comment by sandy brown (U20258)
posted 6 seconds ago
Chronic
Swansea will not be that tough, and anything less than a win would not be good. They are an OK team, but Spurs should be able to beat them. If Spurs are really hoping to compete, they need to get a mindset of winning these sort of games like Arsenal do. No good in crushing Arsenal at home and then dropping points to the likes of Swansea and West Ham.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
to be fair we have a fantastic record against Swansea, but circumstances make it a tough game.
firstly they are a decent side in better form than we are in, and secondly we don't know how the players will react to the disappointing and no doubt draining week that we had.
posted on 2/3/15
Chronic
The players have to get themselves up and running quickly. No time for tears and self-pity, otherwise all the other teams will be over the hill and away. This week will sort out those that want to give their all.
posted on 2/3/15
comment by sandy brown (U20258)
posted 31 minutes ago
Chronic
Swansea will not be that tough, and anything less than a win would not be good. They are an OK team, but Spurs should be able to beat them. If Spurs are really hoping to compete, they need to get a mindset of winning these sort of games like Arsenal do. No good in crushing Arsenal at home and then dropping points to the likes of Swansea and West Ham.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I completely agree. The next step in Spurs' development (and it may as well start now) is to beat the teams that we should beat - particularly at home.
posted on 2/3/15
The Cup final should be a great progression for our young players. I'm not down from losing to Chelsea neither should they be.
They are runaway leaders of the premiership for a reason.
I just hope its created a hunger and big match experience for our younger players.
posted on 2/3/15
Spurs really need to turn their overwhelming possession in most games into winning performances. The last four games have seen them boss possession and have not won any of the games.
posted on 2/3/15
comment by sandy brown (U20258)
posted 14 minutes ago
Spurs really need to turn their overwhelming possession in most games into winning performances. The last four games have seen them boss possession and have not won any of the games.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Scoring early and having effective inside forwards is key.
The formation Poch plays needs at least 10 goals and 10 assists each from inside forwards...Townsend and Lamela have how many?
This is not going to change till the end of the season. We have inside forwards and 2nd and 3rd string strikers that can't score. Thats too many passengers to qualify for Champs league.
posted on 2/3/15
Let's see how we get on first..
We've only had 4 home defeats all season, all after Europa games.. and barely scraped a draw against West Ham.
I think if our form gets worse it'll probably be down to confidence and motivation - something Poch has to keep on top of now we can't win anything this season.
For sure we need to improve the squad if we don't want to have similar European hangovers next season.
posted on 2/3/15
Given our recent results, this is a MUST WIN game.
Now then, wot do I expect to happen?
Soldado to blast a sitter over the bar.
Eriksen to score just before HT.
Spurs to go in 1-0 up, but defense to wobble in second half as team gets tired, and swansea to draw even.
Kane to be well policed.
Townsend to try hard.
Soldado to miss yet another.
Final: 1-1. Yup, another damned draw.
posted on 3/3/15
I think the answer will be (a), although that is not my personal view.
Its also funny how 6th would be considered a good season under Poch, yet 6th was not good enough last season from a different manager.
The problem is for me, in the areas we have made changes, we have downgraded from the players we had - and i just hope posters realise that having new players does not automatically make them better (not that our comments affect anything, of course).
One problem we'll have now is keeping all players happy, because some of them may not get much game time at all from now until the end of season.
I hope our league form doesn't suffer too much over the recent disappointments.
posted on 3/3/15
Its also funny how 6th would be considered a good season under Poch, yet 6th was not good enough last season from a different manager.
----------
here we go
posted on 3/3/15
You couldn't resist it, could you Chicken?
A little innuendo about Sherwood, who is digging his own grave at Villa judging by his latest comments about making Villa great again
posted on 3/3/15
Greaves,
This is not a manager Vs manager debate. I just find it strange how 6th is not good enough one season - yet the next its acceptable - with the same group of players + signings.
Its a valid point. Just because it may make some of your historic opinions incorrect, doesn't mean i dont have the right to mention the truth.
I dont care what Sherwood does at Villa, what Harry does when he comes back, what AVB is doing at Zenit or what Jol is upto...this is not a pro / anti manager debate but just being consistent with my views and expectations on THFC.
6th will not be good enough. End of.
posted on 4/3/15
Chicken,
I think under current circumstances, 6th is a reasonable expectation for us, possibly 5th. We cannot compete with the money side of things until we have a new stadium, which I turn might help us afford the players we need to achieve consistent results and CL qualification.
It is a chicken (excuse the pun) and egg situation. What do we do first? Organic growth via youth development, or growth by procurement means. Either way is fraught with problems going forward.
Until we can match the revenue streams of clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea etc we will continue to lag just outside the top 4.
I have always maintained that this is a learning curve season for Pochettino, he has probably already decided who will be staying & who will be going in the summer. He has already shown that our fitness levels are amongst the best in the PL, and in most cases not easily rolled over.
Building on that will come in the summer & I expect us to improve quite a bit results wise next season.
Page 1 of 2