Really impressed with the way we handled the game and conditions today.
A promoted team, full of optimism, on their own ground in front of a rocking fanbase (their fans were excellent) is very tricky.
We had 3 new signings on the pitch, no Kaboul (except for 5 minutes), Danny Rose who is hardly an experienced left back, no Sandro, and no Bale (or whoever his replacement will be, assuming we get one and that player replaces either Sigurdsson or Lennon).
The first thing you want to do is silence the crowd, you know they'll be chasing for everything full throttle so you need to keep composed and move them around, tiring them out. I thought we did this brilliantly, we could have been more creative but I always felt that as the game went on we would create more space and score. That's the sort of confidence having a striker the class of Soldado gives you, he only needs one chance. Sure it was a penalty but it would've arrived, they couldn't deal with us.
Then when it has arrived, you know they're going to throw caution to the wind, such as making all 3 subs at once and moving every player further up the pitch. This is when you need to stay solid, and with an unsettled team without the aforementioned players, it's tough. Despite all this, Hugo was only really called on twice, we restricted them to very few sights of goal.
I thought Paulinho was a deserving MOTM, he did all the simple things well and his pressing didn't stop all game. Chadli linked well with other attacking players and he looks a danger cutting inside. Soldado showed some brilliant hold up play and did what we bought him here to do, score. And how good was Capoue when he came on? Intercepted everything and managed to win a corner from his own half.
Bales replacement will help with the creativity. Apart from that, a very good opening game, after what hasn't been the best pre season in terms of games
Solid
posted on 18/8/13
I was looking at houses today, and missed the game
But thanks to you guys, I have a good incite into how we got on lads.
posted on 18/8/13
We're still shaky at the back with a very nervous last 10 minutes. Definitely somewhere where we need to tighten up. There defence was pretty solid on the contrary. We're still very dangerous, Walker was on fire down the right flank, but should have the ball back, looked a carbon copy of Lennon
posted on 18/8/13
*should have CUT the ball back on most of his runs
posted on 18/8/13
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 18/8/13
*Insight..
posted on 18/8/13
I had a shocker. For some reason thought our game was the late kick off so ended up missing 34 mins precisely!
What i saw of the first half and second half was promising. Frustrating a lot of the times in the final third with the final ball but we found ourselves in those positions often.
The fullbacks were good with driving runs throughout the game. Disappointing delivery more often than not, more so from Walker.
The trio in midfield were dominant, we have some much energy in our midfield and we're only going to get better. Today we didn't really click but despite that the signs are definitely positive.
If Chadli can settle and find form he could be a real asset. I thought he may be a bench warmer from the off, but he certainly deserves another start for me. With Bale awol its just as well.
Soldade excites me. We need to polish up on our delivery from the flanks and in general, to help him do what he does best.
What else...
Ah Defoe - looked sharp and a real shame he didn't finish that chance, where he burst through the Palace defence. With Soldado leading the line Defoe will make a good impact sub - today's commentator mentioned he was the highest scoring substitute, which doesn't surprise me . Adebayor offers something completely different to the other two, which is good as it gives us options. And on his day Ade can be unplayable, i hope he stays.
posted on 19/8/13
And on his day Ade can be unplayable, i hope he stays.
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Not the "he can be unplayable" comment again ? Will somebody please tell me when he has had one of these "unplayable" days because I have never seen one in a Spurs shirt.
posted on 19/8/13
v Chelsea last season?
I agree they're a rarity these days. You'd get rid then Grandspurs?
posted on 20/8/13
You'd get rid then Grandspurs?
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I would personally drive him to any club that I thought mught buy him and hire a lorry to help him move house
posted on 20/8/13
v Chelsea last season?
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What at WHL when we got beat ?