Spurs 21/22: Conte? Conte!!

Kliq

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Pretty remarkable record here. Kane scored his 95th career away goal in the EPL, the most ever. He did it in 139 appearances, 104 less than Wayne Rooney, who had the record before.

It's crazy that Shearer (260 career EPL goals) doesn't have that record. Kane, with 178 career goals, has a pretty even distribution of home and away goals. But both Shearer and Rooney were way more prolific at home than away.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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I just always find it weird that people talk about Premier League records at all … they are completely artificial and meaningless. Who cares if the top flight was rebranded in 1992. The top flight is the top flight.

It’s like if people said someone had the highest batting average in the American League East all time.
 

Kliq

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I just always find it weird that people talk about Premier League records at all … they are completely artificial and meaningless. Who cares if the top flight was rebranded in 1992. The top flight is the top flight.

It’s like if people said someone had the highest batting average in the American League East all time.
I mean, I appreciate the effort to rain on this accomplishment, but to draw a distinction, the EPL, and particularly the EPL that Kane has played in, is dramatically more competitive than previous incarnations of top flight football due to the money and international make-up of the league.

How many goals do you think Kane would have if he played only against players from UK/Ireland?
 

Mighty Joe Young

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I mean, I appreciate the effort to rain on this accomplishment, but to draw a distinction, the EPL, and particularly the EPL that Kane has played in, is dramatically more competitive than previous incarnations of top flight football due to the money and international make-up of the league.

How many goals do you think Kane would have if he played only against players from UK/Ireland?
I was in no way attempting to rain on Sir Harry’s parade. He’s had a fabulous career. But you could make that same argument about Shearer as well as he played in an era that was still completely UK- centric.

As for your question ... Kane also benefits from a gazillion advantages not available to 20th century players. But I suspect he would be a top striker in whatever era he played in. And he also gets to play WITH a higher international standard of teammates.

And, finally this argument can be made for all professional sports which have seen a huge influx of world wide talent. In baseball alone you had first black players integrated and then Latin and Japanese players. That doesn’t mean Ted Williams isnt the greatest hitter who ever lived.
 
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coremiller

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I though this was maybe Spurs' best performance of the season. West Ham are a pretty good side, and Spurs just squeezed the life out of them. The second half was particularly impressive, despite playing with the lead they totally shut West Ham down and were the much more dangerous side, dominating possession for long stretches

50294

The biggest thing to me today was how comfortable in possession and playing out/around the press the back 7 were today. This has been an ongoing problem at Spurs for years, but they completely neutralized West Ham's pressure today. The spacing and movement in the buildup has improved so much since Conte took over, there are consistently triangles with passing options and the players know where the ball should be going.

Romero looks like a budding star with a rare mix of physicality, pace, and technique for a CB, and Bentacour has been an excellent addition.

The biggest weaknesses right now are 1) defending set pieces (seriously, WTF) and 3) final-third creativity. Spurs struggle to create good chances from possession play, with most of their best chances still coming from direct attacks at pace. They need to get more attacking end product out of the wingbacks.
 

Kliq

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I don't know what was going on at Juventus, but them giving us Kulu and Bentacur has really changed a lot of things about this team. Bentacur has been really impressive over the past few games, both winning back the ball and passing the ball upfield. He also seems to have developed some good chemistry with Hojbjerg, who has looked rejuvenated since being paired with Bentacur, and together they are really controlling the midfield for Spurs at the moment.

Kulu is an unorthodox player; he isn't a speedy burner, but yet he is full of energy and has been relentless presser, closing down on opponents and submarining them from behind. I've noticed frequently he will press someone, and if the ball is played past them, he'll turn and sprint back and make a play on the ball from behind, catching unsuspecting opponents who thought they had more time to pick out a pass. He's also displayed a lot of skill on the ball and seems to be developing a slick chemistry with Kane and Son.

Defensively, they've had real problems with set pieces, but overall have played pretty well. Dier, who I had totally given up on in the past, has morphed into a real rock for the backline and you could see the team missed his presence when he missed some games last month. He's avoided costly mistakes and been a good distributor out of the back. I was surprised he was left off the most recent England team, in favor of Tyrone Mings, Conor Coady, Maguire and Stones, especially when you consider how often England plays with a back three. Romero has been really great since he has gotten fully healthy and done a little bit of everything for Spurs, even finding his way onto the scoresheet. Ben Davies has been mostly incredibly forgetful, which I consider a positive.

The fullbacks have been interesting. Reguillon has gotten himself into a lot of positions to score and has been disappointing; I wonder if that is just a fluke or that with this kind of personnel/schematics that create a lot of chances for the fullbacks. Doherty has been pretty good and finally found some level of consistency. Emerson has been really good as a defender but very disappointing when it comes to having the ball at his feet, and that is a problem for FBs under Conte. Sessegnon is an intriguing prospect given his speed and experience coming up as an attacker, could be useful if he is going to be used in a Reguillon-like role.

Kane's pass to Son for the second goal was unreal.
 

Zososoxfan

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I only got to see highlights. How did Emerson and Doherty both end up on the field simultaneously? It's pretty incredible that Doherty has started looking good again. Then again, this is the kind of system that can emphasize his strengths, but I thought he was totally done as a top-half EPL player--pleasantly surprised.
 

DJnVa

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Kliq

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Palace doing Spurs a big favor with this thrashing of Arsenal. Spurs look like they are gaining +7 on goal differential on Arsenal this week.
 

Gunfighter 09

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Unless Arsenal get a point at Stamford Bridge, all they've done with the games in hand is surrender their goal differential advantage.
 

DJnVa

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Unless Arsenal get a point at Stamford Bridge, all they've done with the games in hand is surrender their goal differential advantage.
Which is basically what the Spurs did when they had all the games in hand on teams.
 

Gunfighter 09

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Certainly does seem like the worst thing we can do is start to feel confident this is going to work out.
 

coremiller

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The PL announced today that the rescheduled North London Derby will be played on Thursday, May 12, as the third-to-last game of the season for both sides.

Spurs' have the marginally easier remaining fixtures. They still have to go to Liverpool, but the rest of their games (other than Arsenal) are against teams 9th or lower, while Arsenal have to play Chelsea, Man Utd, and West Ham, and Spurs' final two matches after the derby are as easy as could possibly be: home to Burnley and away to Norwich, who may both already be relegated. Of course, that's no guarantee, because we all remember Spurs losing 5-1 on the last day of the season to an already relegated 10-man Newcastle in 2016.
 

Zososoxfan

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The PL announced today that the rescheduled North London Derby will be played on Thursday, May 12, as the third-to-last game of the season for both sides.

Spurs' have the marginally easier remaining fixtures. They still have to go to Liverpool, but the rest of their games (other than Arsenal) are against teams 9th or lower, while Arsenal have to play Chelsea, Man Utd, and West Ham, and Spurs' final two matches after the derby are as easy as could possibly be: home to Burnley and away to Norwich, who may both already be relegated. Of course, that's no guarantee, because we all remember Spurs losing 5-1 on the last day of the season to an already relegated 10-man Newcastle in 2016.
Can we not PLEASE?!???

More seriously, Arsenal losing yesterday is immense. Are they still in any other competitions? Because it feels like with a rested squad and time to gameplan, Conte is pretty unstoppable.
 

Zososoxfan

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Doherty flipped over to play in Reguilon's spot, with Royal on the other side.

Caty Free article on Doherty: Matt Doherty’s return to form is coming at the right time, despite the lowest of low points - Cartilage Free Captain (sbnation.com)

Also, reports that Skipp is close to signing a new deal.
Thanks for posting this. That video is hilarious--I wonder how an Irish kid (teen, adult??) falls in love with Arsenal. He's got to be too young to remember the Invincibles, right?

I'm still astounded that professional footballers, especially in the EPL, have room for dietary improvements. I guess when you're playing for the likes of Mourinho and Nuno it can be challenging to stay engaged, but you're still a pro.

Nevertheless, it's clear that having a good and respected manager is so crucial to getting the most out of players. They're worth quite a bit when you consider the investment necessary in players, although football is a bit unique IMO (compared to American pro sports) in a manager being able to demand quality players in return. Salary caps negate this to some extent.
 

DJnVa

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Conte has done the hard yards at Tottenham – would he really want to start again elsewhere next season?

Because Tottenham no longer look like a team in transition. They look like a bona fide Conte team now — just one in need of a few additions.

Conte has done the hard yards with them over the past five months. Whether they finish fourth, fifth or even sixth or seventh this year, next season should be better for Tottenham than this one.

Why would he not want to be part of that?
 

Zososoxfan

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I didn't see the Brighton match (thankfully), so I'll just move on and say the next week will likely result in eliminating at least one of the remaining contenders for top 4. Current top table:

POSITION CLUB POINTS MATCHES PLAYED
1. MANC 74 31
2. Liverpool 73 31
3. Chelsea 62 30
4. Spurs 57 32
5. United 54 32
6. Arsenal 54 31
7. WHU 52 33


Key matches next 2-3 weeks (home team first):

Tuesday 19/04
Liverpool* v. United

Wednesday 20/04
Chelsea v. Arsenal

Saturday 23/04
Arsenal v. United

Sunday 24/04
Chelsea v. WHU*

Thursday 28/04
United v. Chelsea

Sunday 01/05
WHU* v. Arsenal

*Liverpool, WHU, and MANC also each have UEL/EL matches remaining during this period

As others wrote in the WHU thread, it looks like Moyes is prioritizing the EL over the league and it's hard to disagree with that assessment. Spurs really need to build a lead over this period so that they have some breathing room in May. Arsenal and United each play 3 matches versus other top 7 sides, while WHU also has 2 to go along with EL competition. Also worth noting that Chelsea has 3 matches listed here, so if they don't take care of business and 2 clubs go on a run right now, Chelsea may get dragged into the race. Frankly, I don't think that's in Spurs' best interest and I'd rather Chelsea clobber the others and cruise into 3rd place easily. They have by far the best depth and highest ceiling, so a properly motivated Chelsea is a bad thing. COYS!!
 
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Zososoxfan

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Was hoping for Pulisic to make it a bit easier to swallow rooting for the Blues today, but it's still Arsenal and 4th place at stake, so let's go Lukaku-Werner!
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Why did these assholes give us hope? These last two games were worse than Nuno ball.
Wingbacks are so important for this team and are such a black hole without the revitalized Doherty. Matty Cash might’ve killed Spurs’ Champion’s League shot.
 

Zososoxfan

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The team lost all shape and plan once Lucas came on. At least when Dav came on for Sess, Davies allowed the team to function. How is the backup plan not trained at all at this point? But my bigger question is why Bergy isn't getting any minutes at all? I mean, he could conceivably play 3-4 different roles on this side.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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The team lost all shape and plan once Lucas came on. At least when Dav came on for Sess, Davies allowed the team to function. How is the backup plan not trained at all at this point? But my bigger question is why Bergy isn't getting any minutes at all? I mean, he could conceivably play 3-4 different roles on this side.
We can agree or disagree, but seems pretty clear at this point that
  • Bergy’s considered second choice as an attack-minded sub to Lucas
  • Conte doesn’t really rate either of them
I also think he’s more reluctant to convert a winger into a wingback that we thought he was. We’ve maybe overindexed on the Victor Moses thing.
 

Zososoxfan

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We can agree or disagree, but seems pretty clear at this point that
  • Bergy’s considered second choice as an attack-minded sub to Lucas
  • Conte doesn’t really rate either of them
I also think he’s more reluctant to convert a winger into a wingback that we thought he was. We’ve maybe overindexed on the Victor Moses thing.
That can all be true, and yet it's still worth a shot. The offense is completely anemic. The team didn't look good with Lucas out there, but I'm OK with the sub. It's fully time to throw poo at the wall at minute 60-70 in that match.
 

coremiller

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Wingbacks are so important for this team and are such a black hole without the revitalized Doherty. Matty Cash might’ve killed Spurs’ Champion’s League shot.
As someone noted on Twitter, when you're completely relying on Matt Doherty to make your system work, maybe it's time to rethink your system.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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As someone noted on Twitter, when you're completely relying on Matt Doherty to make your system work, maybe it's time to rethink your system.
It’s relied on at least one wingback to be involved and dangerous, the identity of whom has changed.

It’s been Reggie every now and again, it was Sessengon for a few games before he was hurt, it was Doherty for a lot of this year before he got hurt. It’s never been Royal, this is really not his role. None of these guys are consistent at all though, Spurs desperately need one or more consistent wingbacks in the door this summer (and hopefully for full Conte preseasons to improve some of the current group).

The point about changing the system is potentially reasonable, but the extra attacker that lets them get on is one of the also wildly inconsistent Lucas or Bergwjin. Not sure that’s worth moving from Conte’s best system for.

For this season, I think we just need to hope for one of the inconsistent guys left to catch a several match hot streak. My best hope there is with Sess, he looked to me yesterday like a guy with the right ideas who was rusty from his injury lay-off.
 

Gunfighter 09

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Jimy Hendrix

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https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2022/4/24/23039937/tottenham-hotspur-transfer-news-rumors-mauricio-pochettino-psg-sack-antonio-conte-zinedine-zidane


TLDR - Conte is having his people throw his name into the PSG hat.

For the record, if Conte wants to go win almost certain League 1 titles in Paris and that allows Dad to come back to Spurs, sign me the fuck up. I'm officially exhausted by all of the Conte drama, even he is a damn good manager.
It's an assumption that Conte's side is throwing this out rather than PSG throwing names out as a shiny thing to distract their perpetually dyspeptic fans. I'm not so sure who's doing it.

Same stuff happened with Poch as well, he was always on the verge of going to Man U or Madrid if you listened to the press nonsense. It seems like part and parcel of supporting Spurs, there's a set of clubs where they and their media mouthpieces feel they're owed any great players or managers that a club like Spurs have the temerity to have under contract.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Conte seems like a horrible fit for PSG. I have a hard time believing that would be his next move.

Can you imagine Conte's reaction when Neymar's entourage informs him that the player has to miss a huge match because, as tradition dictates, every March he must fake an injury so that he can attend his sister's birthday party?
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Conte seems like a horrible fit for PSG. I have a hard time believing that would be his next move.

Can you imagine Conte's reaction when Neymar's entourage informs him that the player has to miss a huge match because, as tradition dictates, every March he must fake an injury so that he can attend his sister's birthday party?
Weird for PSG also, a manager who famously wins domestic titles but has no real Champion’s League record kinda seems like adding peanut butter to their peanut butter.
 

Zososoxfan

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Nice bounce back win over LCFC this weekend. LC was clearly gearing up for their midweek UCoL match, but a W is a W. Hopefully Pool is also distracted by their midweek UCL tie, but that's doubtful. Conte needs a tactical masterclass this weekend to at least steal a point. Dropping all 3 takes destiny completely out of Spurs' hands.
 

scott bankheadcase

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Nice bounce back win over LCFC this weekend. LC was clearly gearing up for their midweek UCoL match, but a W is a W. Hopefully Pool is also distracted by their midweek UCL tie, but that's doubtful. Conte needs a tactical masterclass this weekend to at least steal a point. Dropping all 3 takes destiny completely out of Spurs' hands.
Even a draw takes it out of Spurs' hands right (assuming an Arsenal win)? Of course, grabbing a point would be a good result as it's likely Arsenal drops points somewhere before the end of the season, but anything but a win takes it out of our hands.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Even a draw takes it out of Spurs' hands right (assuming an Arsenal win)? Of course, grabbing a point would be a good result as it's likely Arsenal drops points somewhere before the end of the season, but anything but a win takes it out of our hands.
Correct. Spurs winning out is the only way to guarantee 4th place regardless of what Arsenal does, which seems unfortunately unlikely to happen but who knows?

The Spurs fans lamenting Arsenal’s inevitability after they won 3 tough games now though are as incorrect as the ones who were dancing on their grave after 3 midtable losses immediately prior. The race for fourth is just two decks of cards with like 30 extra jokers in there, who knows?
 

Jimy Hendrix

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With the last few seasons where the race for fourth was just slapstick, I am just avoiding all logical analysis of it and seeing what absolute utter horse crap actually happens.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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Romero out for remaining games.
I hate it on general principle, but given Sanchez's performance and the last two opponents specifically I am not too terrified of it (athough Burnley might pick on his specific weakness in judging aerial balls).

I just hope it's a two-week thing and not a Spurs medical team special of "a two-week thing, oops a 2 month thing, oops a 5 month thing, oops he should've gotten surgery 4 months ago".
 

DJnVa

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So HUGE game tomorrow for Arsenal obviously. And, unless I'm missing something, Everton dropping points today means that their last game against Arsenal is possibly still going to be important for them to avoid relegation.