Spurs 2013-14: Jermain Defoe, The Greatest European Scorer
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I wasn't happy with either of the goals -- if Lloris is going to challenge for the ball in the box he's got to get there instead of committing the (properly-called) penalty, and Walker's poorly struck clearance (with Dawson not making it any easier by getting missing the chance to head it away) directly led to the second game.
Still, it was by far the most fun and competitive game I've seen Spurs play this year. The offense looked much more organized and purposeful. Sandro's goal was a beaut. I thought Lennon looked great, and while he's on the way out, Dafoe's determination to get shots off makes me smile.
I'm sure not loving the Soldado era though, as the one time he had a threat he blew a cookie. Send him him to Toronto instead if. Dafoe!
Edit: apparently Lennon played lousy and was yanked...guess I was thinking of someone else?
Still, it was by far the most fun and competitive game I've seen Spurs play this year. The offense looked much more organized and purposeful. Sandro's goal was a beaut. I thought Lennon looked great, and while he's on the way out, Dafoe's determination to get shots off makes me smile.
I'm sure not loving the Soldado era though, as the one time he had a threat he blew a cookie. Send him him to Toronto instead if. Dafoe!
Edit: apparently Lennon played lousy and was yanked...guess I was thinking of someone else?
I just ran across a tweet noting that Spurs scored once on 42 shots on target from outside the area before the Man U match. They're now five-for-48.
Horrible misplay by Lloris gives Sunderland the lead. Hard to have much confidence in Spurs right now...
And grateful for Sunderland to be showing why they are what their record says they are... own goal for Spurs (set up by a good Dembele run)
Spurs pull out the 2-1 win, but with one of the scores a Sunderland own goal it's hard to feel great about the result. In fact an uncalled hand ball in the area against Sandro could have left them with just a point against a relegation candidate.
Spurs did carry the play, but they blew a lot of great chances.
Spurs did carry the play, but they blew a lot of great chances.
Not a good game for Defoe. With better finishing he could have had a hat trick.
Good to pick up 3 points on the road with United, City, and Chelsea all dropping points and Everton and Arsenal playing Each other tomorrow. Despite their troubles this season, Spurs are only 3 points out of 2nd and only 7 behind Arsenal.
Good to pick up 3 points on the road with United, City, and Chelsea all dropping points and Everton and Arsenal playing Each other tomorrow. Despite their troubles this season, Spurs are only 3 points out of 2nd and only 7 behind Arsenal.
I am trying to wrap my head around how many times they should have scored but didn't today....
Defoe hit the wood twice, plus missed that play with Paulino in extra time, Paulino had at least two golden opportunities.... such frustrating domination today.
I understand why Townsend never scores, but I have to think they are the equivalent of a team with a really low BABIP right now and some of this shitty luck around the goal will turn into more scoring as the season progresses.
Defoe hit the wood twice, plus missed that play with Paulino in extra time, Paulino had at least two golden opportunities.... such frustrating domination today.
I understand why Townsend never scores, but I have to think they are the equivalent of a team with a really low BABIP right now and some of this shitty luck around the goal will turn into more scoring as the season progresses.
Spurs controlled the game for the majority of the second half. Blew way too many chances to go 2 up though. Need to start stepping on their opponents' throats when they have the chance. It didn't cost them today but could in the future.
On another note, I thought Capoue put in a very good shift at center back. Chadli also impressed me, though more with his aerial threat than his play on the wing.
On another note, I thought Capoue put in a very good shift at center back. Chadli also impressed me, though more with his aerial threat than his play on the wing.
Capoue was very solid in cover and Walker/Lennon was great. Dembele turned up his game, too.
I like the low BABIP comp - feels very true today.
I like the low BABIP comp - feels very true today.
URI said:
I'm fairly concerned by his Vladimir Guerrero like gait. He walks like a 60 year old man with multiple knee and hip replacements.
But yeah, doesn't seem to affect him when he's on the ball, he's playing great
veritas said:
I actually love that because about once a game, you'll see an opposing player forget just how fast he is.
Like yesterday, he blew by Cattermole (I think) and the camera just got him with a "oh fuck" look.
The Europa League draw goes on Monday. Why am I near certain that Spurs will find a way to draw Juventus or Ajax?
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2032417.html
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=2032417.html
Sandro with a blatant tackle on Suarez in the box. No call. Phew.
On the other side, Spurs with absolutely no creativity or finesse in Liverpool's end.
Edit: and Suarez scores an easy goal
On the other side, Spurs with absolutely no creativity or finesse in Liverpool's end.
Edit: and Suarez scores an easy goal
The entirety of the Liverpool offense is running through Raheem Sterling because Kyle Naughton can't play.
Normally, I'd get pissed because Sandro/Dembele/Paulinho aren't holding up possession, but they aren't seeing the ball at all. Chadli is the only one on the pitch that is showing anything right now.
Normally, I'd get pissed because Sandro/Dembele/Paulinho aren't holding up possession, but they aren't seeing the ball at all. Chadli is the only one on the pitch that is showing anything right now.
Well, that's certainly one way to stop Suarez.
I'm sure if you asked every EPL player, they wish they had the opportunity to do what Paulinho did.
I'm sure if you asked every EPL player, they wish they had the opportunity to do what Paulinho did.
Whether he's sacked tomorrow, or some day off in the future, one thing is certain: AVB will be defiant and imperious to the last.
URI said:
I laughed out loud when Le Saux criticized AVB for pulling his left back at halftime. The only people who wanted Naughton on the pitch after the first half were Liverpool fans. At times it seemed like Liverpool had no one on the left, they were so excited to abuse him.
To AVB's credit, they controlled the game from halftime until the red card. OK, so maybe he should have figured out the tactics before the match, or made a change after 30 minutes, but I was legitimately concerned there.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9076578/spurs-candidates
FABIO CAPELLO
The veteran Italian was at White Hart Lane on Sunday and his long-time right-hand man Franco Baldini is the club's technical director. Capello is currently the coach of Russia and has a World Cup ahead, but may fancy a return to club management and a shot at the Premier League.
FRANCO BALDINI
Baldini has plenty of top-level experience, albeit not as a manager. He has served with the likes of Real Madrid and England with Capello, and has signed a lot of the Tottenham squad. If he fancies being a manager, this may be his opportunity to step into the dugout.
MICHAEL LAUDRUP
The Dane is well thought of as a result of the job he has done at Swansea, continuing the good work of previous managers and winning the Capital One Cup last season. Has a reputation for playing good football and would command the instant respect of the players given his standing in the game as a former great.
GUUS HIDDINK
Hiddink is a seasoned trouble-shooter and is currently out of work after a well-travelled and successful career - although he will start a second spell with Holland after the World Cup so would only be a short-term fix. Has managed in the Premier League before with Chelsea, winning the FA Cup in 2009.
TIM SHERWOOD
A former Spurs midfielder, Sherwood would be something of a left-field choice as he has no managerial experience. But the 44-year-old former England international works for the club in a technical coaching role, has done his coaching badges and has the benefit of knowing the players.
ROBERTO DI MATTEO
Has plenty of experience of picking up the pieces of a Villas-Boas job, having replaced him at Chelsea and going on to win the Champions League with his squad of players. Sacked by Chelsea a year ago and has not worked since, but if Spurs want him they may have to move fast as he is being linked with a move to old club West Brom.
FABIO CAPELLO
The veteran Italian was at White Hart Lane on Sunday and his long-time right-hand man Franco Baldini is the club's technical director. Capello is currently the coach of Russia and has a World Cup ahead, but may fancy a return to club management and a shot at the Premier League.
FRANCO BALDINI
Baldini has plenty of top-level experience, albeit not as a manager. He has served with the likes of Real Madrid and England with Capello, and has signed a lot of the Tottenham squad. If he fancies being a manager, this may be his opportunity to step into the dugout.
MICHAEL LAUDRUP
The Dane is well thought of as a result of the job he has done at Swansea, continuing the good work of previous managers and winning the Capital One Cup last season. Has a reputation for playing good football and would command the instant respect of the players given his standing in the game as a former great.
GUUS HIDDINK
Hiddink is a seasoned trouble-shooter and is currently out of work after a well-travelled and successful career - although he will start a second spell with Holland after the World Cup so would only be a short-term fix. Has managed in the Premier League before with Chelsea, winning the FA Cup in 2009.
TIM SHERWOOD
A former Spurs midfielder, Sherwood would be something of a left-field choice as he has no managerial experience. But the 44-year-old former England international works for the club in a technical coaching role, has done his coaching badges and has the benefit of knowing the players.
ROBERTO DI MATTEO
Has plenty of experience of picking up the pieces of a Villas-Boas job, having replaced him at Chelsea and going on to win the Champions League with his squad of players. Sacked by Chelsea a year ago and has not worked since, but if Spurs want him they may have to move fast as he is being linked with a move to old club West Brom.
I can't believe they moved that quickly.
Of that group, I would like Laudrup the most, just because I think the style he inserted at Swansea fits my own preference.
If I was in charge though, I would put a caretaker (like Guus) in for the rest of the year, and get Roberto Martinez this summer, and basically deal with the fallout from displeased Everton fans.
Of that group, I would like Laudrup the most, just because I think the style he inserted at Swansea fits my own preference.
If I was in charge though, I would put a caretaker (like Guus) in for the rest of the year, and get Roberto Martinez this summer, and basically deal with the fallout from displeased Everton fans.
URI said:
Seems like a panic move. Or proof that AVB is truly terrible at managing a locker room. Because while the on-field product looked bad yesterday, they were missing their first choice LB, LCB, played a DM as the RCB, and had a metric fuckton of U-21 super talents still learning to play together in the attacking midfield. Oh, and Soldado has been shit, and no alternatives at striker except for Europe's Greatest Goal Scorer. But lots of creative midfielders. It's a weird roster that Baldini assembled and that it didn't jell perfectly should be no surprise.
And if URI were in charge, the first thing he'd do is put a collar on Lloris with a 15' chain attached to a stake in the middle of goal. Too many easy chances given up by overaggressive sweeper keeping.
Regardless of the injuries, they are simply not scoring enough. Their 15 goals would look more at home at the bottom of the table. They don't seem to play a style conducive to Soldado and while you can't tailor everything to one player, he was essentially brought in to find the back of the net--you need to do something to give him service in the style that works best, otherwise why did you bring him in? And how does a team give up 11 goals in 2 games, and 10 in the other 14? Schizo.
I can't wrap my head around the fact the Spurs fired their manager and they are still ahead of ManU in the standings. This table is still so congested that the Spurs still have plenty to play for and the next 3 games are against Southampton, West Brom, and Stoke, 2 at WHL. They need at least 7 points.
I can't wrap my head around the fact the Spurs fired their manager and they are still ahead of ManU in the standings. This table is still so congested that the Spurs still have plenty to play for and the next 3 games are against Southampton, West Brom, and Stoke, 2 at WHL. They need at least 7 points.
Michael Cox breaks down the tactical disaster that AVB rolled out yesterday. 121's point that they were missing a lot of their first choices is a good one, but it then raises the question of why would you play the high-wire act of a high defensive line? Throw in the disappearance of Eric Lamela and the continuing presence of a striker whose strengths are totally out of sync with the way Spurs play and AVB increasingly looks like a guy who can't maximize the performance of his squad. He needs players who match what he wants to do, and then they apparently also have to get along with him.
I can't imagine him getting another big job anytime soon. Maybe he can get a non-Big Three job in Portugal and demonstrate that he's learned from his mistakes.
I can't imagine him getting another big job anytime soon. Maybe he can get a non-Big Three job in Portugal and demonstrate that he's learned from his mistakes.
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