Spurs (H) FA cup 3rd round replay 0-2 post match

[lgfualol]

It wasnt until I started reading through here that I realised I had forgot King was even playing tonight.

I wish he attacked more like someone else said. For a guy everyone says is a great finisher, he only has about 2 shots a season.

[richardsfoxes]

Just hope and pray we try and sign a striker, desperately need one the question is who and do we have the funds to bring in someone of the quality we need because if Ulloa, Okazaki, Kramaric are costing around 9M for something better your looking at 15-20M, can that sort of business be done in January i doubt it, lets see what happens i guess. Positives we're Gray, Benny and Chilwell, for me Gray should be starting games he looks so bright on the ball always looking forward with Fuchs guarding him telling him what to do he'd develop into such a great player i feel. 

[The Doctor]

Let's be honest as others have mentioned prior to Claudio coming in we never took the cup seriously under Pearson either.

Shrewsbury last season and burton in the league cup 2012 aside, that's plain not true.

[MC Prussian]

It wasnt until I started reading through here that I realised I had forgot King was even playing tonight.

I wish he attacked more like someone else said. For a guy everyone says is a great finisher, he only has about 2 shots a season.

 

The thing with King is, he'd probably manage to snatch a goal out of those two shots.

[Guest Col city fan]

It wasnt until I started reading through here that I realised I had forgot King was even playing tonight.

I wish he attacked more like someone else said. For a guy everyone says is a great finisher, he only has about 2 shots a season.

Our lack of goals from the central midfield isn't only about King. We are so lacking in that department. That was one of Cambiclasso's strengths. He got about 6 or 7 last season didn't he?

Drinkwater can't shoot for shite and Kante's game isn't to get into the box to score goals. If Mahrez and Vardy aren't on their game, we have too few goals in the team.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Drinkwater definitely can't shoot. The exceptions prove the rule. His technique is generally useless.

[Mikey]

Gray was our best player. Thought he really put himself about and wasn't afraid to try and take the game to them. He was lovely in the first half, and After half time when we looked like we might get back in it, him and Chilwell were taking control for us - which I don't know if that's a good or bad thing for the rest of the team. Chilwell could have done a bit better defensively a couple of times - including their goal - but the quality of players he was up against could hardly blame him.

Like others have said, we need to switch up the style again. Fingers crossed Claudio's been slowing it down throughout the busy period on purpose.

[Blackpool Fox 69]

Well... Perspective, folks. You win some, you lose some. 

 

Positives:

- Chilwell & Gray look really promising

- Benny was solid at the back

- We can concentrate on the league

 

Negatives:

- Ranieri's tactical set up and the entire first half

- Ulloa & Dyer, 'nuff said.

- Harry Kane still has legs

- Actually, pretty much everything else.

You missed a positive Waza sticking one to Kane ;-)

[Dan]

If Ranieri tonight learns that Ulloa in a 4-5-1 is a disaster then I suppose we can at least take something forward.

[foxinsox]

Out of the Cup, but I would have played the same squad tonight (except in a 442 with a second striker alongside Ulloa, even if it has to be Paniyatou or Dodou.

Spurs are our major rivals along with Man U for that top 4 place. Arsenal and Man City are pretty nailed on. They now have at least 2 extra games as well as Thursday nights in the Europa League, as do Man U. We need to capitalise on that. Though I do wonder whether the CL would be an embarrassment anyway.

Defensively there were lapses, but I understand the substitutions:

One of the midfielders had to come off if we are to go 442. It makes sense that this was DD as he will partner Kante on Saturday. Both King and Inler were OK against a very good Spurs midfield.

When a goal behind we needed more threat going forward on the right wing. We also need Simpson fit for Saturday, not least because De Laet is injured.

Vardy was good in his cameo, looks back to full fitness.

Tactics too defensive? Well originally DeLaet was supposed to be RB.

The kids look good, though hard to displace Fuchs.

Ulloa was isolated first half but was poor, now too slow for this league. Dyer was dire again.

There were hardly any regulars around me in usual ST holders seats so not surprised at the quiet atmosphere.

Stoke game is a biggun. It would be good to have a win before Liv/ManC/Arsenal.

Of course we need a quality striker as back up. So does half the league! Including a fair bit of the top half.

Usual first team out on Sat against the Potters please!

The Cup is history again.

[EnglishOxide]

If Ranieri tonight learns that Ulloa in a 4-5-1 is a disaster then I suppose we can at least take something forward.

The problem is that we have also experimented with Vardy and Shinji in the 451 and the performances were equally inept.

[Donut]

What we seem to have done in the past 6 weeks or so, is take a good thing and overdo it into a bad thing.

 

Im fine with the notion of us being a counter attacking team, but not when ive seen performances like Liverpool away, Villa 2nd half, tonight 1st half, and lets be honest quite a bit of the Tottenham league win too.

 

I see 3 main problems with the way we have been playing recently, and these must be addressed quickly

 

1) When we drop off as deep as we do, we win the ball back deep inside our own half. A stray pass and the opposition are right back in on us. And Most of the time from here, the only ball on is a long ball hopefully forward to an advanced player who somehow has to make something of it.

 

2) Even if the most advanced player does get to the ball, his team mates have left him hopelessly isolated and the ball will in all likelihood come straight back. You dont see many goals like the goal scored at Villa.

 

3) The long spells we have without the ball are draining mentally and physically. We can never retain any kind of control on a game dropping deep, because we dont have enough touches to dictate the play in any way.

 

What i also saw a lot tonight, is bodies behind the ball, but not actually doing anything. They were back, and in a structure, but the spurs players could still pop it around easily and look dangerous. There was still no real pressure on the ball or breaking up of play, even deep in our own third.

 

 

Playing this deep style is even worse with a player like Ulloa in the team who cant stretch the play, cant run in behind, and doesnt have the engine to press.

 

For my money, this team needs to get 10 yards higher up the pitch and get the wide men pinning the full backs of the opposition back more. And secondly, they need to rediscover the fundamental of passing the ball. Im getting a bit tired of the "possession is meaningless" rhetoric. Having spells of possession allows you to dictate the play at home, and if nothing else allows you to have a rest. Weve got good enough players to play progressive football.

 

Im not saying we should become tiki taka overnight, but weve over egged the pudding totally.

[Guest MattP]

Always want to win the FA Cup, quarter final after Colchester and put that team out, disappointed.

 

The way we played was most upsetting though, it was like we didn't care, we have one of the best squads in my lifetime and we didn't seem to give a shit about a cup I and a lot of fans want to win so badly, we couldn't go for it last year as we were so shit and now we can't go for it because we are too good, I'm starting to think there is some prestidigitation going on.

 

What has happened to our famous fitness levels? Spurs had 5/6 first teamers out there tonight that have played the same amount of games as us and Europa League on top, how can we be so tired already?

[EnglishOxide]

What has happened to our famous fitness levels? Spurs had 5/6 first teamers out there tonight that have played the same amount of games as us and Europa League on top, how can we be so tired already?

It's not tiredness. It's tactical and has been for a while. Sit deep, soak up pressure until the second half.

Earlier in the season we set the tempo and went for the throat from the start.

[Guest MattP]

It's not tiredness. It's tactical and has been for a while. Sit deep, soak up pressure until the second half.

Earlier in the season we set the tempo and went for the throat from the start.

 

But surely this relies on having the players to do that?

 

We had Ulloa up front tonight, everything we punted up came back and if he did win anything went to Dyer who fell over.

 

If it isnt tiredness then I have serious questions as to why Kante, Fuchs, Vardy, Albrighton, Mahrez and Okazaki arent on the pitch.

[Guest Manini]

Chilwell as I said was ok and played well for a young lad but he was allowing their winger far too much room on that left side to be fair they exploited this.

There was a moment in the first half when the Spurs left winger switched it over to the right hand side and their player was totally on his own. Chilly was nowhere to be seen. Can't just wander away from your man like that, but he'll learn.

[fuchsntf]

Fringe players/Reserve team...ok

Spurs better squad....................ok

Perspective.................................ok

Defence for me.........................OK.

Dyer..Ulloa...Gray......................Ok

Carefull 1st 10-15mins............ Ok

Not Ok, was not asking us then to hold back.Why was Dyer nor Gray not encouraged, to go down the flanks.

Not OK. No set up for ball coming from flanks,

Not Ok, Dyer n Gray, stopping with the ball at their feet, not daring to take their man on (until later in 2nd half)

Not OK, Ulloa drifting from center.

Not Ok Claudio overrating Spurs, with his tactics.Not understanding you let the players go for it, its just a one off tie.

Not OK Experienced players allowing themselfs, to hold back.Even weaker teams have their moments.

Not Ok Not one midfielder, looking for that space, to have a 20-25yard pop.

Not OK seeing King not driving forward, at home.

Spurs were good, but we didnt put 1 ounce of pressure on them.Again Losing was never the problem, its

how we presented ourselves.The 2nd team had a duty to push themselves out.I expect not only the manager

to speak, I expect someone to try and take the initiave, if Claudio thought it was OK, I didnt.

His selection was ok, I accept, but felt so let down, how they actually performed as a unit.

Not because of players chosen do I consider, we didnt take it seriously, but normal English stuborness and fight

for an avg club vs quality experienced club, for an FA-cup tie was lacking.

In fact the exact ingredient, that we had been showing all season,the 2nd team MIGHT not have the quality,

but a bit more grit, I expected.

This however as no leaning, on how will approach, the rest of our League season, I will be more lenient,

and take another tact on how we progress, unless we capitulate, without players fighting/believing to prove

they can mix it with the big boys.Now with only 16 games I dont want to see players, nor management leave

on that field, spirit, fight, PL achieved skill, behind in the dressing-rooms.They can draw, they can lose,

they can just miss out on 4th, but not with a 1st team performance repeating todays outing.

Absolutely nobody stood up to be counted last night, not even the newbies, really hung their heads out of the

window.I dont want to see Gray play safe football, like his 1st half, I expect youth not to worry, but be arrogant,

in play, idea, and thought.Moving along with your opponent looks nice , but take them really on, not just 2-3 times.

If Claudio decides to play Ulloa again, tell him and the others, he stays in the center, and not take the free space

away, from the guys coming over the flanks.....

Now that rant is over,

I dont believe any bubble has burst, cant compare reserves against 1st team.

The first eleven will not have it, all their way, some players even in the last 16 games will have dip in form.

We have Stoke then a 14 day PL pause.Time to remind themselves, what got themselves where they are,

and Claudio to remind them of gathered experience, but most of all stay crazy.....!!

[Dan]

I might as well be honest, I thought tonight was an absolute disgrace.

 

It wasn't that we played a weaker team. It was that we played a team that simply couldn't win. Ulloa up front on his own was utterly pitiful. I wouldn't even pick Ulloa up front on his own for a Sunday league side. Absolutely no chance of scoring a goal whatsoever. At home ass well. Ugh.

At half time we brought Okazaki on but even then, we took Drinkwater off and left King and Inler on, who are not only vastly inferior to Drinkwater, but also put in no effort at all tonight. In fact, other than the defence, only Gray and maybe Drinky put in a shift out of the players that started. So that's 4 outfield players not putting in the effort. No commitment in tackles, few yards covered I expect, not jumping for headers. And sickeningly these were all fringe players who should be fighting for a first team spot. I'd say 3 of those 4 could leave the club tomorrow and I wouldn't be disappointed one bit.

 

I'm tired of the 'it's only the FA Cup' rubbish so I'm just going to give up on it. Tonight's match was treated as a friendly despite a very large crowd. So I won't be going to another FA Cup game. Ever. And before people say 'I'm sure you'll be first in line for the final' - well I hate to break it to you, but we will never, ever reach a final if we continue to approach the competition like we did tonight. Like we did last year at Villa. Like we did against Huddersfield a few seasons ago. It's the most realistic chance of us winning a massive trophy and we just don't care. So I won't next season either.

I mean, we were battered tonight. Barely got out of our own half in the first half. There was just no interest in winning the game at all until we were already getting played off the park and beaten easily. And then still: We're 2-0 down. Going out with a whimper. Bring the big boys on immediately you'd think. Save some pride. Give ourselves a chance. Nah, let's piss around for 10 minutes, then bring Vardy on, almost as a half-hearted gesture. Leave Mahrez on the bench. Well bothered.

And Tottenham will now go to Colchester with a great chance of getting to the 5th round. And who knows where they'll end up after that. We were beaten by a far worse Villa side last season and they reached the final.

 

The shining lights were clearly Gray & Chilwell. No exaggeration to say they looked a class above the rest of our players tonight, but since they've made a total of about 6 first team appearances maybe some of those others should take a look in the mirror. But nah it's the cup so they'll get away with it.

 

With the season we've had there's no reason we couldn't have given the cup a real go, but obviously we really, really didn't want to go through.

I assume this means we'll be in the Champions League next season? #concentrateontheleague

 

I've had extremely similar thoughts to this, but in particular the bit in bold. Our mentality towards the cups is absolutely abysmal and it would be a total miracle if we won either.

[Dan]

Shrewsbury last season and burton in the league cup 2012 aside, that's plain not true.

 

I don't agree. I don't think we ever made a great effort in the cups under Pearson (although it was certainly better than under Ranieri). I just think we've firmly stuck ourselves into the category of clubs who should be going for things but won't for some bizarre reason.

 

It can be forgiven this season given how well we're doing in the league but truth be told after Villa and after this I'm starting to believe we will fall down the table, and yet again I'm convinced it's our own doing.

[Dan]

The problem is that we have also experimented with Vardy and Shinji in the 451 and the performances were equally inept.

 

We just aren't a 4-5-1 team, it's as simple as that, you need to be more technical than we are and more patient in your build up than we are. I literally cannot see where he thought the goal threat was coming from tonight other than a wonder goal and if you're relying on wonder goals then your set up is shite.

[Vardinio'sCat]

Sell sell sell sell!! As a defender your taught to usher a player wide- it was just a quality finish. If your saying he should have done better so should Kasper

 

No, Chilwell gave him too much space, this was picked up by the BBC pundits. He did sit off a bit too much at times, but in general looked like a fine prospect, who will be great when he fills out a bit.

 

As for Kasper, he will be disappointed by that goal, I'm sure. In his defence the ball sat up beautifully for Son, and he struck it really well

[ozleicester]

Whole lot of slagging off of players so far... i love CR, but tonight, and recently, he has been outplayed and out managed.

 

Is it that some of our players are out of form, or have we changed style and it is reducing their opportunities and out results?

[Vardinio'sCat]

Obviously we need to give Mahrez and Vardy the time to find form because the potential gains are so great, but the same doesn't have to go for Ulloa and Dyer. Or Albrighton for that matter.

 

My concern is the lack of cover up front. Three strikers even for one position is on the low side, and I'm worried that this is an indication that Ranieri plans to impose a 4-5-1 as often as not. The signs that we can play the system effectively aren't good. Obviously we've never seen a new manager enjoy quite such a honeymoon (it's a little harsh to call it that, but remember we were 4th in early March in Taylor's first season), nonetheless I think he may need to rethink some of the conclusion he appears to have come to over the past few weeks.

 

Whatever the result on Saturday, it's important that we show attacking intent - even if it's snuffed out - and that we look beyond Albrighton and Dyer on the flanks, beyond Ulloa as our sub forward. If that means dipping into the market (and if we want to finish top four, I'm sure it will) then so be it. I can't help but think that a top four finish will depend hugely on 4-4-2 for us, in which case Kramaric's loan has to mean someone coming in the opposite direction, almost as a matter of urgency.

 

That's about the third post dissing Albrighton for tonite, and I'm not sure why.

 

He was playing at RB for what, 25 mins. RB isn't his usual position, and I didn't see him do a whole lot wrong. He did have a good chance, struck it really well but it was straight at the keeper. If you go for power over placement that will happen sometimes, but he got it on target. So my question is, what did he do wrong tonite?

 

Agree that Dyer was awful, and now Kram has gone we will be getting a forward (of some kind) in. This was referenced in the Mercury after the match.

 

And of course, we will be mainly 442/4411 in future, it is the formation that has got us were we are.

[Vardinio'sCat]

Started of with Ulloa as a loan striker is an absolute poor poor decision a ****ing pretty much a disgrace, what was he thinking

 

I guess we all wish he was a loan striker, at this point. 

 

What he was thinking was to not let his 2 decent forwards destroy themselves for Saturday, in a fairly meaningless game. I say that because an FA Cup final and CL is over ambitious. We should leave that to other teams, like Spurs.

 

I do agree that 451 is hopeless with Leo up top.

[Vardinio'sCat]

You missed a positive Waza sticking one to Kane ;-)

 

Our best moment really.