Match Threads Spurs vs LASK - Match Thread - Europa League - Round 1

[phillipjpalmer]

Vinicius looks like jannsen but with that extra yard of pace.
Not super strong but puts himself about, decent left foot and good team player.

 

[Spurs 1961]

Very good performance. I have seen us struggle in previous years against such teams but we have come a long way.

 

[stormfly]

I’m back to thinking we’ll win the quadruple again now until our next draw/loss.

 

[VegasII]

Has someone inserted a bicycle pump into Owen Hargreaves and just pumped it a couple of times?

He’s generally annoying enough to make me want to do that.

 

[WiganSpur]

Dele is a good player but does anyone really think it's a coincidence that we've suddenly become free scoring ever since he's been dropped and we've changed system? Obviously it's not all on him, but his last start was the Everton loss and every game since we've played significantly better.

It's for the best of the team that's he's been dropped.

He's actually played alright again tonight. But I think now whilst he's been stagnating the level of the team has clearly gone up a notch the last few months. If not for injuries he's gonna have to do something special to get back into the first team and I can't see it happening for a while.

 

[ilikeost]

Three, by my count. Out of about ... 40?

When I say loose I mean underhit or just slow passes. Perhaps the wrong word? 2nd language and all that.

 

[Thenewcat]

Be interesting to see if Ndombele and Gio start Monday. Hope so.

While I’d love to see it, I think it’s better to start one on Monday (Tanguy) and one Thursday (Gio). He isn’t going to start either twice and we need one in the starting line up. Beat Antwerp away and we’re virtually qualified

 

[DJS]

Tanguy will. Gio off the bench I'd say. Be great to see the holy trio of Gio, Ndombele and Pierre though.

Yeah hoping those three will be played in tandem when Lo a Celso is fully fit. ??

 

[Sarsipius]

This squad is exceptional. Talent throughout and genuine strength in depth. Gonna be a good year.

 

[shelfmonkey]

Sid is gonna be awesome, looked really good tonight.

 

[freeeki]

Really happy for Clarke finally getting his debut, after he’d been pretty much forgotten about.

It’s clear Jose sees something in him, and if he comes good over the next year or two he could even be an HG replacement for Lamela or Lucas when one of them inevitably moves on.

 

[Ionman34]

Clean sheet.

Opposition a bit shit though in all honesty.

They were made to look that way.

It’s getting a bit tiresome hearing the “opposition were shit” run out every time we make a team look ordinary.

I believe this lot spanked Sporting 4-1 to make it to the group stage?

 

[Hazelton]

Loving the fact that we're scoring goals for fun. Much easier for a free-scoring team to work harder and learn to defend than it is for a solid defensive team to learn how to score. Getting there.

 

[Jody]

Lots to like about that performance. Davies - such a calming influence in the centre of defence.

 

[SE Spurs]

Job done.

Bloody clean sheet as well! COYS!

 

[stormfly]

It’s so weird seeing Bale having the ball and not just knocking it into the space and gassing past people. It’s almost like we’ve all got older since he was last here!? Surely not, I’ll put it down to fitness.

 

[Grapo2001]

Davies is our best CB

 

[Cochise]

I'm not one for shitting on Dele unnecessarily. He was ok when he came on, linked up well with some of the other guys and found some good positions. Should have scored, no denying that, but there were times when the runners all took the same line and his passing options were reduced.

 

[WiganSpur]

Lots to like about that performance. Davies - such a calming influence in the centre of defence.

The last time he did it in a back four was also a flawless performance at the Emirates.

 

[Timberwolf]

He's actually played alright again tonight. But I think now whilst he's been stagnating the level of the team has clearly gone up a notch the last few months. If not for injuries he's gonna have to do something special to get back into the first team and I can't see it happening for a while.

I think the difference is that when Jose arrived he felt Dele was the key to our success and bent over backwards to accommodate and appease him. Now that it's become clear that Dele isn't good enough to play such an important role in the team the dynamic has shifted: it's on Dele to prove to Jose that's hes worthy of fitting into our new system.

I've long felt that Dele was holding us back and I think this was exactly the kind of wake up call he needed. It's sink or swim now and hopefully he raises his game and proves his worth.