Seems like an age since we last played a game, and an age until we play the next one. Which is not ideal when you consider our recent poor run of league form.
We've had spells like this under Poch before, but we've rarely lost 3 league games out of 4. And it easily could have been 4 out of 4 but for Lloris! What's more, the rather feeble manner of the defeats to Burnley, Soton and Chelsea is not something we've come to associate with this Spurs side for the most part.
We've somehow contrived to let the chasing pack back in. We've gone from looking upwards to looking nervously over our shoulder. We've blown a 13 point gap over United and there is a good likelihood that we could be behind Arsenal a week on Monday. Quite how we've managed that, I'm not sure. There are mitigating circumstances - injuries, the continued lack of a home ground (although it's been our away form of late that's been the issue), European exertions, the ongoing stadium uncertainty - but that doesn't really explain the recent poor performances outside of Europe.
I've been going into recent league games almost expecting us to lose. We seem to have lost that edge and winner's mentality to fight back from losing positions.
Perhaps, though, lower expectations could be to our benefit. On current form, and with Liverpool's exceptional home record and our terrible record at Anfield and the away grounds of fellow top 6 clubs, they will be expected to win. But we really need a result, and need to put in a performance to keep ourselves in pole position for 3rd spot. Other than Liverpool and City away, we have a relatively favourable run-in, but our current form needs to improve dramatically if we're to avoid falling out of the top 4 completely.
At Anfield last year, we put in a super second half performance and really should have come away with a win. A complete rollercoaster of a game. Looking like another depressing defeat after Salah's early goal, but we fought back second half. An absolute stunner from Wanyama - comfortably goal of the season - got us back into it. Then the craziness started.
Kane brought down (yes, he was brought down, even if he made the most of it!), but misses the subsequent penalty. Then, just seconds later, Salah weaves through our defence to fire home. From possible victory to crushing defeat in a matter of seconds. Typical Spurs.
But then, when all hope seemed lost, VVD decided to kick Lamela up the bum and the linesman bravely - and rightly - gave a penalty. Kane held his nerve to make it 2-2. Cue the Liverpool fans going into meltdown over Kane and Lamela being massive divers (oh, the irony) and an animosity from their fans ever since.
I'll be honest, I don't want Liverpool to win the title (the stuff surrounding the Evra incident really turned me off the club and their supporter base), so if we can halt them in their tracks and get a much-needed result I'll be thrilled.
I'm not expecting anything other than a dismal defeat. I'm expecting Liverpool to roll us over in the first 20 minutes or so. But they will be nervous, and they know they can't afford any slip-ups, so we have to try and play on that.
If we lose again, I think we should give up on the league and concentrate on the Champions League instead!
Lower expectations a good thing?
posted on 22/3/19
Good article lanespurs3
I notice however that you stated quite a few reasons for letting the chasing pack catch Spurs up for the race for Top Four, but did not state what I consider the obvious, and that is the poor team selection by the manager. It has been mentioned how well the team played in Dortmund, so why change a winning team. Resting Toby, Son and Aurier for the Southampton match, when Spurs did not have a game for nearly three weeks was ridiculously stupid.
posted on 22/3/19
comment by MKspur (U9129)
posted 6 hours, 54 minutes ago
Why if we lose one game should we just give up when we have lots of beatable teams to come is beyond me.
As for concentrating on the CL we have a weeks break before the first leg V city while they have a fa cup semi so there’s not need to throw league games.
Seems like a depressing article for no reason here
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Titanic
posted on 22/3/19
Well you could see this spell coming. Yes the team was up for the CL games with Dortmund - scraped thru the group but came together later on. But look at the league results ....
Lucky wins against Cardiff, Wolves, Newcastle, Palace early on , a draw with Watford, and yes we beat the old ManU (but we don't beat the new ManU).
Most of these games could easily have gone the other way, we were not dominant. I think Pochettino was shepherding us along on a shoe string of nothing from Levy.
Well the truth finally came home, getting kicked out of both Cups and also with losses to Wolves, Manu, Chelsea and a draw with the Arsenholes.
We dropped from "chasing for the title" to lucky to hold on to fourth spot!
Not Pochettino's fault. Its Levy's fault pure and simple.
Sandy tries to blame Poch and he's been hauled over the coals by all on this board over that stupid idea.
Just look at the squads ManCity and Liverpool have, and ManU too, and appreciate what Pochettino had done with last season's personnel.
Now we have to face ManCity in the CL, our last chance of glory to save this season from being a farce!
And we compare again the two squads - as many on this board are doing, and wish, just wish Levy had given Pochettino a little more to play with.
Sooner Levy & Lewis sell this club, the sooner real Spurs fans may have something to rejoice about.
posted on 22/3/19
comment by Choice City (U6187)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by MKspur (U9129)
posted 6 hours, 54 minutes ago
Why if we lose one game should we just give up when we have lots of beatable teams to come is beyond me.
As for concentrating on the CL we have a weeks break before the first leg V city while they have a fa cup semi so there’s not need to throw league games.
Seems like a depressing article for no reason here
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Titanic
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi choice
posted on 22/3/19
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 34 minutes ago
Well you could see this spell coming. Yes the team was up for the CL games with Dortmund - scraped thru the group but came together later on. But look at the league results ....
Lucky wins against Cardiff, Wolves, Newcastle, Palace early on , a draw with Watford, and yes we beat the old ManU (but we don't beat the new ManU).
Most of these games could easily have gone the other way, we were not dominant. I think Pochettino was shepherding us along on a shoe string of nothing from Levy.
Well the truth finally came home, getting kicked out of both Cups and also with losses to Wolves, Manu, Chelsea and a draw with the Arsenholes.
We dropped from "chasing for the title" to lucky to hold on to fourth spot!
Not Pochettino's fault. Its Levy's fault pure and simple.
Sandy tries to blame Poch and he's been hauled over the coals by all on this board over that stupid idea.
Just look at the squads ManCity and Liverpool have, and ManU too, and appreciate what Pochettino had done with last season's personnel.
Now we have to face ManCity in the CL, our last chance of glory to save this season from being a farce!
And we compare again the two squads - as many on this board are doing, and wish, just wish Levy had given Pochettino a little more to play with.
Sooner Levy & Lewis sell this club, the sooner real Spurs fans may have something to rejoice about.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeh and we may end up like Bolton, Ted. Be careful what you wish for.
posted on 22/3/19
comment by sandy (U20567)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 34 minutes ago
Well you could see this spell coming. Yes the team was up for the CL games with Dortmund - scraped thru the group but came together later on. But look at the league results ....
Lucky wins against Cardiff, Wolves, Newcastle, Palace early on , a draw with Watford, and yes we beat the old ManU (but we don't beat the new ManU).
Most of these games could easily have gone the other way, we were not dominant. I think Pochettino was shepherding us along on a shoe string of nothing from Levy.
Well the truth finally came home, getting kicked out of both Cups and also with losses to Wolves, Manu, Chelsea and a draw with the Arsenholes.
We dropped from "chasing for the title" to lucky to hold on to fourth spot!
Not Pochettino's fault. Its Levy's fault pure and simple.
Sandy tries to blame Poch and he's been hauled over the coals by all on this board over that stupid idea.
Just look at the squads ManCity and Liverpool have, and ManU too, and appreciate what Pochettino had done with last season's personnel.
Now we have to face ManCity in the CL, our last chance of glory to save this season from being a farce!
And we compare again the two squads - as many on this board are doing, and wish, just wish Levy had given Pochettino a little more to play with.
Sooner Levy & Lewis sell this club, the sooner real Spurs fans may have something to rejoice about.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeh and we may end up like Bolton, Ted. Be careful what you wish for.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wishfully I hope we end up like ManCity - capable of winning everything!
But that won't happen under Levy & Lewis, will it?
posted on 22/3/19
comment by palmers_spur (U8896)
posted 40 minutes ago
comment by Choice City (U6187)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by MKspur (U9129)
posted 6 hours, 54 minutes ago
Why if we lose one game should we just give up when we have lots of beatable teams to come is beyond me.
As for concentrating on the CL we have a weeks break before the first leg V city while they have a fa cup semi so there’s not need to throw league games.
Seems like a depressing article for no reason here
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Titanic
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi choice
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Palmers! Good morning from Bora Bora
posted on 22/3/19
What the fack are you doing there ?
Are you a native Polynesianor something ?
posted on 22/3/19
Polynesian (sp)
posted on 22/3/19
Warm weather training and Charlie Chaplin cocktails today over here