Ratings v Stoke

[carpediem991]

Dembele wins it.

Ratings later. Fuck it really.

 

[yanno]

Mason MOM for me. He missed pre-season with an injury so probably isn't match fit.

But once Mason was subbed, we lost our energy and drive from central midfield, and some very average Orcs started bossing it.

 

[roslau]

Lamela or Eriksen, two awe-inspiring players to watch

 

[Doomchicken]

Lloris - 7
Davies - 5
Alderweireld - 6
Vertonghen - 6
Walker- 6
Dier - 6
Mason - 8
Eriksen - 6
Kane - 8
Dembele - 5
Chadli - 6
Lamela - 0
Bentaleb - 4

 

[ilikeost]

Lloris - 8 - Not at fault for the goals and pulled of some good saves.

Walker - 7 - Did what he could with absolutely zero support.
Alderweireld - 6 - Was good in general but should have been smarter when it came to the pen even if it was a very soft penalty.
Vertonghen - 7 - Can't remember him doing much wrong.
Davies - 6 - Did well to begin with and created the second goal. He was destroyed by Dioufs pace and power when Diouf was moved out wide.

Mason - 8 (MOTM) - Did his job very well and we never looked in trouble while he was on.
Dier - 6 - Looked decent again.

Dembélé - 4 - For me he is such a waste of space when playing out wide (and he aint much better when played in the middle either). He only woke up when Stoke were at 2-2 and still only managed a shot or two. Drifts inside making us very narrow without the skill to be able to do something productive when in the middle.
Chadli - 6 - Scored a goal and did his job.
Eriksen - 5 - Thought he looked great first half but vanished in the second half.

Kane - 7 - Played well on the ball, unlucky not to score.

Lamela - 0 - This is what a 0/10 performance looks like. What a fucking shit performance. I'm done supporting him untill he starts to earn it (and I don't count on him to start performing anytime soon). Give me Townsend on the pitch instead of Lamela and sell him if possible, I don't give fuck about him anymore.
Bentaleb - 2 - Came on and did nothing, but at least he didn't give any stupid free-kicks away.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I did not see the match, but would it be safe to make the typical assumptions based on the fact that with Kane and Mason on the pitch we were winning 2-0, with bentaleb and lamela on the pitch we conceded two in very little time?

 

[mattdefoe]

Lloris - 6 is it me or could he have read that second goal a little better... stupid pass early on to

Davies - 6 nice assist, dosent fill me with confidence, prefer rose

Alderweireld - 6 zero mistakes at southampton 2 already n his spurs career
Vertonghen - 6 No leadership no nothing. We miss a fully fit dawson and ledley
Walker- 6 brainless but didn't do to bad
Dier - 6 not bad
Mason - 8 very good
Eriksen - 6 moments of class but again drifts away
Kane - 6 something was up....
Dembele - 6 good in spells
Chadli - 6 passenger but did score
Lamela - 0 can't even do the simple things right. useless on the right and wears stupid boots
Bentaleb - 4 how did he get a flash new contract....

 

[joshcorey]

Lloris - 7
Davies - 5
Alderweireld - 6
Vertonghen - 5
Walker- 6
Dier - 7
Mason - 8
Eriksen - 8 - 1st half / 4 - 2nd half (just had to split this)
Kane - 7
Dembele - 5
Chadli - 6

Lamela - 2
Bentaleb - 4

 

[PrettyColors]

Lloris - 7 : Good saves, one boneheaded mistake.
Davies - 5 -: We neeeeeed Rose back so badly. So badly.
Alderweireld - 6 : Welcome to Spurs.
Vertonghen - 6 : Jan needs to be more of a hardman. Or a leader. Or... something. The adjective "commanding," sometimes used to describe center halves, is pretty much the opposite of JV.
Walker- 6 - Good in bits, but it's those crucial letdowns. Left out to dry in the 2nd half to be fair.
Dier - 6 - Not a DM. (Levy - 2 for letting Eric Dier be our best midfield option)
Mason - 8 - MOTM, shame he had to come off. Mason seems to understand what playing with energy means.
Eriksen - 7 : Has been one of the most frustrating players I've seen. He can be world class, and he can do absolutely nothing. And regular he flits between the two.
Kane - 7 : We'd have won without the calf injury. Kane has nearly everything in his game right now.
Dembele - 5 : I can't say he was bad, because he wasn't terrible. But his presence is stifling.
Chadli - 6 : Goal. Nothing else. Had a horrible touch off of an impeccable Eriksen through-ball. Wonder why we struggle for creativity?

Lamela - 3 : Didn't look like his head was anywhere near the game.
Bentaleb - 5 : Is he fit?

 

[WiganSpur]

Mason easily MOM

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Lloris 7

Davies 6.5
Verts 6
Toby 4.5
Walker 6

Mason 7
Dier 7.5

Chadli 5.5
Eriksen 5.5
Dembele 6

Kane 5.5

Lamela 1
Bentaleb 5

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

A strange game to dissect.

Walker appeared to have a good game despite every problem coming from down his flank from one player.

Dier also appeared to have a decent game yet didn't plug the vital gaps between the midfield and back four.

Think today's capitulation was a combination of factors.

First off, where is this fabled Pochettino philosophy? Stoke pressed the shit out of us and looked way fitter. We pressed in ineffective bursts and frankly looked knackered by the end.

Also, Poch is ridiculously rigid... He will just stuff any player into his rigid 4-2-3-1 regardless of their skillset or the context of the game.

It made sense to go 4-3-3 today, get Rose on for Davies to provide a pacey outlet for the counter and shore up the middle by sitting three midfielders there.

He just doesn't seem to read the game like a supposed tactician should... He was tactically outsmarted by an often ridiculed manager in Mark Hughes (and unfortunately that's not the first time I've said that about Poch).

Stoke in the first half literally had one player, which was Arnautovic. For what it's worth, he absolutely bossed us and an early yellow for Walker cost us the ability to get tight to him. However, Walker did well enough (despite consistently neglecting to recognise he only had one foot and wanted to cut in the whole time) but Poch should have tweaked it at half time to deal with him.

Cancel out Arnautovic and we win the game comfortably, it's as black and white as that.

The subs in essence were the correct ones (Kane looked exhausted and Mason had run his heart out) but we didn't have the right personnel to bring on (Levy I'm looking at you). We needed a pacey outlet and Lamela wasn't that, Rose even at LWF would have been infinitely more use. Bentaleb just isn't at the races currently and jogged round in a daze - he also proved to not be the correct sub. Would have actually rather have seen a hungry D. Alli come in and give some energy to the dwindling midfield.

Secondly, certain players didn't perform to their best. Too many sloppy passes, a lack of understanding for their positions (Dembele @ RWF and Dier @ CDM) also tired legs (Kane)
Our heads dropped immediately when they scored the penalty and we need someone to keep them focused and believing - no one did that today.

It's not the end of the world, we lost far easier games last season at home and still finished 5th but it certainly doesn't bode well.

With Leicester away and Everton at home following, I could easily envisage a situation where we are 4 games in with 1 point to our name.

Not to detract but it's blatantly clear we need a quality& experienced midfielder, one who can tackle and dictate play (the latter more so) and a pacey centre forward who is proven in the league (Berahino...)

 

[BringBack_leGin]

A strange game to dissect.

Walker appeared to have a good game despite every problem coming from down his flank from one player.

Dier also appeared to have a decent game yet didn't plug the vital gaps between the midfield and back four.

Think today's capitulation was a combination of factors.

First off, where is this fabled Pochettino philosophy? Stoke pressed the shit out of us and looked way fitter. We pressed in ineffective bursts and frankly looked knackered by the end.

Also, Poch is ridiculously rigid... He will just stuff any player into his rigid 4-2-3-1 regardless of their skillset or the context of the game.

It made sense to go 4-3-3 today, get Rose on for Davies to provide a pacey outlet for the counter and shore up the middle by sitting three midfielders there.

He just doesn't seem to read the game like a supposed tactician should... He was tactically outsmarted by an often ridiculed manager in Mark Hughes (and unfortunately that's not the first time I've said that about Poch).

Stoke in the first half literally had one player, which was Arnautovic. For what it's worth, he absolutely bossed us and an early yellow for Walker cost us the ability to get tight to him. However, Walker did well enough (despite consistently neglecting to recognise he only had one foot and wanted to cut in the whole time) but Poch should have tweaked it at half time to deal with him.

Cancel out Arnautovic and we win the game comfortably, it's as black and white as that.

The subs in essence were the correct ones (Kane looked exhausted and Mason had run his heart out) but we didn't have the right personnel to bring on (Levy I'm looking at you). We needed a pacey outlet and Lamela wasn't that, Rose even at LWF would have been infinitely more use. Bentaleb just isn't at the races currently and jogged round in a daze - he also proved to not be the correct sub. Would have actually rather have seen a hungry D. Alli come in and give some energy to the dwindling midfield.

Secondly, certain players didn't perform to their best. Too many sloppy passes, a lack of understanding for their positions (Dembele @ RWF and Dier @ CDM) also tired legs (Kane)
Our heads dropped immediately when they scored the penalty and we need someone to keep them focused and believing - no one did that today.

It's not the end of the world, we lost far easier games last season at home and still finished 5th but it certainly doesn't bode well.

With Leicester away and Everton at home following, I could easily envisage a situation where we are 4 games in with 1 point to our name.

Not to detract but it's blatantly clear we need a quality& experienced midfielder, one who can tackle and dictate play (the latter more so) and a pacey centre forward who is proven in the league (Berahino...)

I didn't get to see the game but everything you say I can imagine and picture so easily. And yes, we certainly need an experienced midfielder to lead in the middle.

 

[richard_gleeson]

Mom

Arnautovic

 

[faze_coys]

I do wonder what game some people watch when i see dembeles ratings

He had a good game today, Made the most passes, most touches, most tackles, most interceptions On our team ffs.

 

[elDiablo]

Saw snippets but I think dembele is a good option off then bench. Holds the ball up and penetrates which works when the game is more open amd players are tired.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Here starts probably the most unpopular post you'll likely read in Spurs Chat tonight.


Lloris - 8 - Outstanding. Two magnificent saves (Butland had 2 just as good, which ultimately were the difference in the two teams. We expect Hugo to make these now. Butland had little right to save v Mason or Kane), several other good ones. Great to have him back. But could argue a minus point deserved for the fact we went quiet when it went to 2-2. That's when you need your captain.

Walker - 7 - The battle of the game was Walker vs Arnautovic. I say battle as we dicked every other contest. Walker got a booking after 20 minutes and I was petrified after that. But Kyle wasn't. He continued to compete and despite Arno getting goalside a few times, Walker did really, really well.

Toby - 8 - Loses half a point for conceding a silly penalty. Crazy soft decision but ref was giving those all day. Otherwise outstanding, especially in the air and with two passes of 50+ feet that could have created chances. Top signing.

Jan - 8 - Brilliant partnership with Toby. We caught them offside a lot. He is leading the line very well. Never beaten as far as I could see.

Davies - 6.5 - Couple of poor bits of attacking play. Couple of times he wasn't as far forward as he should have been as we tried to shift the ball quickly. But he's young and his assist for Chadli's goal was outstanding.

Dier - 8 - Most Tottenham fans don't understand why he's playing here. They're the same ones who won't understand why he was Man of the Match. It's not even a new role ffs. Busquets has been doing this for 6 years. The fact this kid has taken to it so well shows what a brilliant pre-season we must have had and how hard they've all worked.

Mason - 7.5 - Massive performance. Was everywhere. Poch's biggest mistake was taking Mason off. The team missed him greatly when he left. Had several shots but it was his tempo setting that impressed me. Deservedly replaced Nabsy.

Dembele - 7 - Used the ball well, if predictably slowly. One of his better home games for us. Frustratingly shot when we were 4 v 4 and he could have slid in any other player to score the winning goal for us.

Eriksen - 7.5 - MotM in the first half. Used the ball so well and at the heart of all our best work. Linked well with all around him. Went quieter in the second half as Stoke came into it. But a good display.

Chadli - 7 - Could have had a hat trick. Got one. Made some lung-busting runs that put the fear of God into the Stoke defence. But didn't feel like much more than this was given. We really needed him to offer something when Kane went off but it proved too much for him.

Kane - 7 - Ran his bloody arse off. Huge bag of ice on his feet after being subbed as I presume he ran so much his toes caught fire. Every chance we got either went to him, was assisted by him, or was because his smart run created space. Deserved the goal that Butland, somehow, kept out.

Subs:

Nabsy and Lamela - 4 - Same comments apply to both: Neither should really have come on. Team was so in system and settled that any change was going to a) confuse, and b) make them look bad. And they both did look bad. But as much about those around them not performing as their individual contributions.


And to answer your questions, no this isn't naive or generous. For 75 minutes we produced a Champions League level performance. In five minutes we were sucker-punched twice, very unfortunately. Otherwise, you can't expect too much more of the group. Our system and strategy and every individual performance was very good-to-excellent. Really. I'm sorry that this isn't the considered view of the masses.

 

[ItsBoris]

Another transition season by the looks of it. I really hope we get Berahino and that N'Jie proves to be decent because Lamela and Dembele are not cut out to play on the wings (the former just isn't good enough period).

Chadli and Eriksen I thought were good until we went behind.

 

[ackie]

MoPo's sub was very poor.
Kane was injured but sending Lamela on instead of Alli was IMO a poor choice.
Then sending Bentaleb for Mason as early as he did showed negativity on his behalf. (It invited them on more)
Eriksen played the first half well but second half was absent...DEMBELE at least keep trying in the second half.
We need a leader (we've been saying that since last season) but nothing yet.
Seems like our transfer philosophy is buying young talents but they need a leader with winning mentality and experience.
We reply need to spend wise but effectively.

 

[ItsBoris]

Here starts probably the most unpopular post you'll likely read in Spurs Chat tonight.


Lloris - 8 - Outstanding. Two magnificent saves (Butland had 2 just as good, which ultimately were the difference in the two teams. We expect Hugo to make these now. Butland had little right to save v Mason or Kane), several other good ones. Great to have him back. But could argue a minus point deserved for the fact we went quiet when it went to 2-2. That's when you need your captain.

Walker - 7 - The battle of the game was Walker vs Arnautovic. I say battle as we dicked every other contest. Walker got a booking after 20 minutes and I was petrified after that. But Kyle wasn't. He continued to compete and despite Arno getting goalside a few times, Walker did really, really well.

Toby - 8 - Loses half a point for conceding a silly penalty. Crazy soft decision but ref was giving those all day. Otherwise outstanding, especially in the air and with two passes of 50+ feet that could have created chances. Top signing.

Jan - 8 - Brilliant partnership with Toby. We caught them offside a lot. He is leading the line very well. Never beaten as far as I could see.

Davies - 6.5 - Couple of poor bits of attacking play. Couple of times he wasn't as far forward as he should have been as we tried to shift the ball quickly. But he's young and his assist for Chadli's goal was outstanding.

Dier - 8 - Most Tottenham fans don't understand why he's playing here. They're the same ones who won't understand why he was Man of the Match. It's not even a new role ffs. Busquets has been doing this for 6 years. The fact this kid has taken to it so well shows what a brilliant pre-season we must have had and how hard they've all worked.

Mason - 7.5 - Massive performance. Was everywhere. Poch's biggest mistake was taking Mason off. The team missed him greatly when he left. Had several shots but it was his tempo setting that impressed me. Deservedly replaced Nabsy.

Dembele - 7 - Used the ball well, if predictably slowly. One of his better home games for us. Frustratingly shot when we were 4 v 4 and he could have slid in any other player to score the winning goal for us.

Eriksen - 7.5 - MotM in the first half. Used the ball so well and at the heart of all our best work. Linked well with all around him. Went quieter in the second half as Stoke came into it. But a good display.

Chadli - 7 - Could have had a hat trick. Got one. Made some lung-busting runs that put the fear of God into the Stoke defence. But didn't feel like much more than this was given. We really needed him to offer something when Kane went off but it proved too much for him.

Kane - 7 - Ran his bloody arse off. Huge bag of ice on his feet after being subbed as I presume he ran so much his toes caught fire. Every chance we got either went to him, was assisted by him, or was because his smart run created space. Deserved the goal that Butland, somehow, kept out.

Subs:

Nabsy and Lamela - 4 - Same comments apply to both: Neither should really have come on. Team was so in system and settled that any change was going to a) confuse, and b) make them look bad. And they both did look bad. But as much about those around them not performing as their individual contributions.


And to answer your questions, no this isn't naive or generous. For 75 minutes we produced a Champions League level performance. In five minutes we were sucker-punched twice, very unfortunately. Otherwise, you can't expect too much more of the group. Our system and strategy and every individual performance was very good-to-excellent. Really. I'm sorry that this isn't the considered view of the masses.

I agree with a lot of that, but it's not a champions league level performance because Champions league level teams put the nail in the coffin at 2-0 up, they don't let the other team back into it.

As has been the case for quite a lot of the past decade, our football can often match that of top 4 teams but our mentality does not - blatantly so.