Was looking forward to this, but ultimately very disappointed.
Same old problems of ineffective up front, crossing too early, too slow in attacks and giving clear cut chances to opponents who take those chances.
2 matches in a row Meslier shown poor distribution straight down the middle which causes us problems.
Alioski and Dallas are not full backs. They've done really well as utility players but square pegs are being played in round holes.
Also, still not convinced with Struijk, always seems to be a yard too slow.
There was a lot of talk of our attacking pre match and how markers dont stay with our players, yet I saw exactly the same from us, continually losing runners and this allowed Spurs to look great up top and Son and Kane are class acts when given those chances.
Despite the aforementioned distribution, the point blank saves from Meslier are good and we can't pin this defeat on him.
Aimless crosses from too far out just give away possession far too often.
Rodrigo defending always seems to lead to a free kick against us.
Pablo losing possession too easily at times.
No real goal threat from Bamford.
No end product from Poveda.
Not much more to add re players, but Ayling generally good again, Raphinia and Rodrigo show flashes, but something needs to change.
I understand that Bielsa has his fixed philosophy, but that isn't going to be fully effective unless we're upgrading players and that will take time.
We can shore things up at the back when we have our 3 defenders back available for selection, but what to do up front?
We have to have a think about how we're crossing balls, if there was a stat for crosses that result in a goal we would have to be around the lowest in teh division, I believe that this is a massive area of potential for us which should be within our reach with our overlapping play.
Appreciate Jake Humphries making a statement regarding Karen Carney and opinions and it's sad that she has withdrawn from some social media as a result of abuse.
But listening to the commentary and hearing comments from Hoddle out "out flooding the defence" and then the other one saying Stuart Dallas was born in Leeds, maybe these guys (not Carney) need to have think about how they come across.
Spurs were better team today, more quality throughout, just hope we start learning from some of these results.
Thoughts from today
posted on 2/1/21
comment by steross17 (U6898)
posted 1 minute ago
We were decent until we gifted them the opening goal.
Meslier has been fantastic, not criticizing but he would benefit from having a Tom Heaton type around. Kiko should be out on loan or given a free transfer.
Harrison put a peach of a cross on Bamford’s head, I think Kane would have worked the keeper at the very least. Bamford has been fantastic, maybe needs to swap positions with Rodrigo as Rodrigo is definitely no midfielder.
Looks like Phillips has booked his ticket to Crawley, would like to see us take the FA Cup seriously.
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I think Meslier has been great as well, but the pass out down the middle is something I'd like him to address.
That header was straight at keeper, we have to be doing more with those opportunities.
posted on 2/1/21
Whats happening with Roberts. Bielsa said he was unavailable. Loan deal, injury or looking to sell?
posted on 2/1/21
Roberts has had his moments fleetingly at various points in his 3 years at the club but I just don't think he has done enough and in a relatively small squad we need better back up. I would rather concentrate on developing Greenwood or Geldhardt and move Roberts on. Don't like saying that really but I think he has not shown enough and it has gone on too long.
posted on 2/1/21
Played well in the middle Third again but poor at either end.
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Not sure about this, in the Man Utd game, Burnley game and again today we seem to be the architects of our own downfall, too many balls given away in midfield, in the rush to move the ball on so quickly simple passes go astray far too often. Balls that should stick at this level don't. I think we are much better than we showed today.
posted on 2/1/21
comment by Elsbels - Just Some Guy (U21658)
posted 17 minutes ago
Played well in the middle Third again but poor at either end.
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Not sure about this, in the Man Utd game, Burnley game and again today we seem to be the architects of our own downfall, too many balls given away in midfield, in the rush to move the ball on so quickly simple passes go astray far too often. Balls that should stick at this level don't. I think we are much better than we showed today.
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Feel the same in that we're better than we were today, but, we must credit the opponents that surely impacted on our ability to play our game.
posted on 2/1/21
Spurs were treading water before our keeper helped them out. We were the better side and Hoddle was drooling.
Then the mistake and we get unlucky with the decision. After that the second goal killed us I think. A great goal from Son though. Credit where it’s due.
Third goal was yet another set piece and keeper should have saved it anyway.
Disappointed with Bamford today but also Harrison, Rodrigo, Raphinha and Klich were off the pace.
But it was a free hit today. We now move on and hopefully win our next game. Safety is our first aim this season.
After watching us though I’m not sure I’d like a season watching Spurs. Pretty boring and if they lose Kane or Son they will struggle big time I think.
posted on 2/1/21
How many times does Alioski have to play well at leftback before people admit he is a good leftback?
I admit ive been a critic of him in the past, however the last three games he has impressed me and its pretty easy to see what bielsa sees in the lad.
we have more pressing concerns in bringing in another midfilder than we do at leftback at the moment so id rather we use our limited resources there than in a postion that we have two players in Dallas and Alioski who are more than good enough at this present moment in time.
like outwood said, it would be nice to bring another one in, but its not a priority
posted on 2/1/21
comment by Mattyp (U8926)
posted 2 minutes ago
How many times does Alioski have to play well at leftback before people admit he is a good leftback?
I admit ive been a critic of him in the past, however the last three games he has impressed me and its pretty easy to see what bielsa sees in the lad.
we have more pressing concerns in bringing in another midfilder than we do at leftback at the moment so id rather we use our limited resources there than in a postion that we have two players in Dallas and Alioski who are more than good enough at this present moment in time.
like outwood said, it would be nice to bring another one in, but its not a priority
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Are you sure he played well there today? Graham Smyth scored him as five, Beren Cross 4, Jack Robshaw and Ali Rampling 5, cannot find anyone who felt he had a good game.
posted on 2/1/21
comment by Elsbels - Just Some Guy (U21658)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Mattyp (U8926)
posted 2 minutes ago
How many times does Alioski have to play well at leftback before people admit he is a good leftback?
I admit ive been a critic of him in the past, however the last three games he has impressed me and its pretty easy to see what bielsa sees in the lad.
we have more pressing concerns in bringing in another midfilder than we do at leftback at the moment so id rather we use our limited resources there than in a postion that we have two players in Dallas and Alioski who are more than good enough at this present moment in time.
like outwood said, it would be nice to bring another one in, but its not a priority
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Are you sure he played well there today? Graham Smyth scored him as five, Beren Cross 4, Jack Robshaw and Ali Rampling 5, cannot find anyone who felt he had a good game.
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he did more defemsive work than any of the other players today.
his defensive heading was easily the best in the team today.
we lost three nil so noone is going to say he was amazing, however what he did do well today he did it better than those around him
posted on 2/1/21
We looked great at the start but when you can't even hit the target, the opposition are going to click into gear. The worst thing about today is that the game was there for the taking.