We are very vulnerable against decent pressing as a team though. This seasons 'counter attack' tactic where we tend to hoof it long is the only times we have ever been able to cope with it; typically Liverpool have destroyed us whenever we have played for example.

Vertonghen & Alderweirled - to give them credit are more technically gifted than most midfielders. Which is why we look so much less fluid when one is missing.

comment by Alexis The King Sanchez (U10026)
posted 1 minute ago
Yeah it's a good defensive tactic to stop the attacks further up the field.
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I actually love how we press the ball, it is so effective. Push the opposition into pockets of space and block all the passing lanes so they have to play it long. CB's then win the ball in the air and we get it back. So simple and effective.

On a separate topic, Marca running a story about R Madrid preparing €300M for "the revolution".

The piece is accompanied by a composite picture of Neymar, Lewandoski, Odriozola, Hazard, Kane and De Gea.

It's a good attacking tactic for you as well as you force teams into a lot of mistakes and that gives you lots of chances.

If Pochettino played more technically gifted footballers Spurs would be amazing as I still think they lack creativity and guile. That's the big thing lacking from the way you play.

€300m won't even get Neymar.

I'd never have heard of Odriozola before. Does that mean Carvajal's heart condition is really serious?

comment by Alexis The King Sanchez (U10026)
posted 5 minutes ago
It's a good attacking tactic for you as well as you force teams into a lot of mistakes and that gives you lots of chances.

If Pochettino played more technically gifted footballers Spurs would be amazing as I still think they lack creativity and guile. That's the big thing lacking from the way you play.
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I'm not sure I have made my mind up on that yet. I do believe we need to play more attacking line ups vs weaker teams though. Even against southampton, Wanyama should have been coming on for Dier NOT Dembele.

The vulnerability doesn't surprise me Edin. By all means, use your CBs' ability on the ball, but don't overcook it.

Also, I know some people love Dembélé, but what does he actually do apart from try to dribble past people every time? Again, not a player I've watched that much, but going on what I've seen, he's the sort of player my kid would love on amateur mode on FIFA.

I like midfielders who know how to make a yard for themselves, look around and make choices appropriate to the situation, rather than have a default option everyone's expecting.

The way I see it in my head, the description you gave of your CB's and MF makes for some pretty predictable footy, and if it's at all close to reality, I dare say that having a world class striker in Kane might be the main reason you get away with it as much as you do.

I also guess your full backs are absolutely essential to the approach falling into place. Do you feel Walker's been a big miss this season, or were you one of the ones who thought he'd be easily replaced?

I know, Daz. It's like, "where the f have you been the last 2 transfer windows"?

Edin, I'm not sure, I haven't really heard much more about Carvajal's problem.

More likely him featuring is just the "token promising Spanish youngster" thrown in to fill out the picture.

Edin, I'm not sure it's something we'll be likely to see. Pochettino clearly has his preferred style which has served him well so far so will probably stick with it.

Though it must be noted that getting that style of player at a required level is difficult to come by.

Maybe at a bigger club with better resources he'll adapt the way he sets up the midfield.

Walker has been a massive miss, and me and Daz have differing opinions on him but he was part the reason we were so good last season. Aurier is finally looking like a good replacement but it has taken half a season to replace our second best player.

Our fullbacks are so critical to our system as they cause the opposition to be pinned back. Aurier & Rose in a team gives Dele/Eriksen/Son/Kane so much more room which can be devastating. Trippier is a LONG way off and Davies is just not good enough at taking people on.

In fairness, Madrid have been hoovering up lots of young Spanish talent the last few years. So there could be something in it.

I don't think Walker's quite as good as you do, Edin, but I've certainly come around to the fact he's one of the top right backs around.

Losing him and Rose not playing as much has made a big difference to your side.

With regards to Dembele I see differently to a lot of other Spurs fans with regards to him. I prefer a midfielder who passes the ball quickly and effectively, Dembele has a poor passing range. If we are playing a top team then Dembele is ideal as he is possibly the greatest midfielder in the world terms of dribbling with the ball, and that is no exaggeration. When he is on form at times it is such a pleasure to watch. Yet what I find funny is how he will skip past 4 players as if nobody is there, then play it square to Eriksen - a pass he could have played 30 seconds before hand with the same effect.

Then on the other hand, what Dembele does he does really well and even though he is rubbish at unlocking defences (Dier & Wanyama have better passing ranges) part of me thinks, that if Eriksen, Dele, Kane, Son etc can't break them down then it is more their fault than Dembele's.

comment by Alexis The King Sanchez (U10026)
posted 4 minutes ago
Edin, I'm not sure it's something we'll be likely to see. Pochettino clearly has his preferred style which has served him well so far so will probably stick with it.

Though it must be noted that getting that style of player at a required level is difficult to come by.

Maybe at a bigger club with better resources he'll adapt the way he sets up the midfield.
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One thing I will credit Poch with though, is he is constantly learning and improving as a manger so I will never know. Last season we were just dreadfully unlucky that we went up against a title winning team who didnt have ANY European football, the main difference. I hope that with time he will realise that we will cope better with more creativity in midfield. I think that our starting XI though is one of the best in the world, we just lack depth and have injury issues.

Dembele's ball carrying in midfield is brilliant. When he's on form he's such a domineering midfielder but with great ability to hold the ball. I want Pogba to start displaying more of this on a regular basis but he has all the rools, but with a far greater passing range and creativity.

Will be interesting to see how Pogba develops under Pochettino when he comes to United in a few years.

This season we've had bad injuries and lacked the home field advantage. Only real reason we are sat in 5th.

Lots of ifs and buts, yet if we were at WHL and had Alderweirled and Wanyama fit this season we would be second.

comment by Alexis The King Sanchez (U10026)
posted 27 seconds ago
Dembele's ball carrying in midfield is brilliant. When he's on form he's such a domineering midfielder but with great ability to hold the ball. I want Pogba to start displaying more of this on a regular basis but he has all the rools, but with a far greater passing range and creativity.

Will be interesting to see how Pogba develops under Pochettino when he comes to United in a few years.
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Don't say that

You are right though, Pogba has the ability to be Dembele with a passing range. He will be the best midfielder in the world in my opinion.

Let's hope so. He has all the talent to be. Just needs honing as I'm still not sure he's found a niche role in the team yet. He's capable of everything but not consistent enough in any one role - though injuries and lots of reshuffling in the midfield for us hasn't helped things.

One thing that does surprise me is how for someone of his physique he doesn't physically dominate matches like he should and hasn't developed the defensive side of his game in a way you'd expect under Mourinho.

Ive seen a few clips of him defensively and he is actually pretty poor. I blame Mourinho though like you said.

Would Dembélé act any differently if it were just a set of cones set up in front of him though? I mean, is there purpose and intent in what he does, or does he just run with the ball and dribble past players because he can?

Dunno if I have recommended this before, but I would really recommend listening to the podcast 'The Mixer' its about 8 - 30min episodes about the tactical evolution of the premier league.

Basically emphasising how backwards thinking PL football is and how much impact foreign exports have. Likes of Wenger being the first manager to introduce a fitness/training/diet scheme and Arsenal being ahead of the curve as a result.

One thing that does surprise me is how for someone of his physique he doesn't physically dominate matches like he should and hasn't developed the defensive side of his game in a way you'd expect under Mourinho

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That's what I used to say about Diaby. Had all the talent in the world with the ball at his feet, but he just wasn't interested in doing the dirty work. A shame, as nobody could have laid a glove on him had he had the right attitude.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 minute ago
Would Dembélé act any differently if it were just a set of cones set up in front of him though? I mean, is there purpose and intent in what he does, or does he just run with the ball and dribble past players because he can?
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Probably the former, he tends to excel against the teams who try and harass him more than the ones who back off.

Interestingly every teammate he plays with says he is the greatest player. I guess because 1 on 1 he is unplayable.

Considering he's played for Mourinho, Dechamps, Conte and Allegri and still has issues on this side of his game is quite surprising.

Though he's clearly better with the ball at his feet so has been given quite a lot of freedom from defensive duties.

Shame what happened to Diaby. Was a talented player. Albeit I see him as similar to Dembele in that he was a great ball carrier but not a great deal else.