Spurs 3 Aston Villa 1 post match thread.

[PaulWinch again]

I think it was a real game of two halves.

First half we played well and in the right way against a better team than us. They had possession, but we contained and picked them off

Second half we ended up camped in our third, had no outlet and carried no threat.

Build on the first half performance and learn the lessons to correct what happened in the second.

[not3bad]

We go again.

[SoccerHQ]

I just don't understand the thinking of buying two new full backs, and then not even including one in the squad and not playing the other one.  Taylor didn't disgrace himself, but he still looks like he's going to shit himself every time he crosses the halfway line.  That was one of the main differences today, the quality of their full backs compared to ours.

Spurs tried to sell one of them to Watford on deadline day! Think the other was only making his third prem start.

[LeeB]

Just back, we can hold our heads up after that.

I spent the afternoon in the rather excellent corporate facillities down there, and despite going fucking ballistic when John scored, I have to say every Spurs fan near us were fucking sound about it. I apologised at  half time to a few for getting carried away, but to a man they said they'd have done the same.

Spurs in general have gone up a lot in my book today, and that ground is absolutely superb.

We'll batter lesser teams.

[SoccerHQ]

Watching the MOTD highlight, Wesley wasn’t as bad as I thought and trezeguet had 2 great chances he should have done better with. Granted he did very well to get into those positions.

Shame for the second Trez dosen't seem to have a left foot, was crying out for him to hit it in the position he was on. Could also have arguably hit it first time for his first chance aswell.

Loved the first run he made though (fantastic slide rule pass from McGinn). Also get the feeling AEM selection played a part once Dean decided to start Trezeguet so not sure Gulibert will come in next week, Targett probably will but I don't have high expecatations for him tbh.

[LeeB]

I'd also like to add that I thought Neil Taylor was fucking superb today, fair play to him.

[jwarry]

Only two positives for me, but both enough for me to be encouraged. SJM of course and the cameo from Doug who just seemed to fill the pitch

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think what some of you are forgetting is that Tottenham are a superb side at the moment. They steam rollered us and the only reason they broke through at the end was that they knackered us out and had a bit of luck with the second goal. They're such a strong athletic side we just couldn't cope for the 90 mins, they looked every bit a champions league final team in that second half.

Agree with that. Let's not forget Spurs were playing a team with probably 5 first choice players out. We have a lot of catching up to do.

Plenty of positives, most mentioned but I have to say I thought Taylor was another that pleasantly surprised me today. More than decent.

Nothing today convinced me that AEG is nothing more than a £3.5m player. Stupid not to sign at that price but never a starter. File under 'Squad filler'. The other point, the ref was indeed shite but the physicality of the Spurs team was on another level. So much stronger, all 50/50s seemed to go their way, even up against SJM. Our players just bounced off them.

Still, plenty of positives, mainly in defence. We look well drilled. Midfield, I thought Conor was great up until 60 minutes, Jack drifted in and out, maybe the occasion got the best of him, SJM was fighting like it was his last game. Douglas reminded me of Carlos Sanchez, marking the space rather than the man. I'd have loved to see him do a job on Eriksen.

Up front, Trez should have at least scored one of the two opportunities he had; AEG needs reminding of what his role is and he's not Ronaldo and Wesley really needs to work on his first touch. In fact, all our players do. You could note the massive difference in technique; they were miles ahead. If it weren't for his wages, I'd bite their hand off for Rose who despite the commentary bollox, was exactly the type of player I'd love to see on our flank.

Strange selection today, not sure what happened to Gilbert but we really need to punish Bournemouth at home. Three points will give us some comfort in these early games. I watched a bit of their game with Sheff Utd and if we turn up, we'll smash them. I hope that those there will get behind the team and force the victory rather than waiting for it to happen. Fortress Villa Park will keep us up this season and everything else away from home will be aided by our great away support.

As Mourinho used to say, it's 'a collective effort'; and he never counted on the great support. I imagine Deano is extremely pissed off tonight. So he should be, we came extremely close to picking up point/s today. The result certainly doesn't reflect the final score.

I'm still gutted with the result but providing we learn from it, I'll sleep well tonight.

[Richard]

Only 2 positives !? Jeez

Heaton Mings Engels surely

[rougegorge]

Very encouraged by the first half, followed by a reality check in the second.

I agree that the positives were Heaton, Mings, Engels and Trezeguet in the first half plus McGinn in flashes.

I think we should've changed the formation in the second half as we just replaced like for like in positions with no real improvement. We allowed Walker P and Rose to effectively add to their midfield far too readily and couldn't get out. Interesting that Heaton chose to kick long most of the time.

Not sure about Wesley, but if he's not a 6-yard box player nor a prolific scorer, he needs to sharpen up his hold up and link play if he's the only true forward in the starting eleven.

As for the stadium, it looks good from the outside and from the stands, but for a brand new ground, the stifling lack of space in the concourse in the away end, the sticky floor and the awful queues to get food or drink was truly shocking.
As we approached the ground a patronising Spurs fan said 'welcome to the best ground in the world'. I suspect it may be much better in corporate areas or the home areas but for a supposedly state of the art stadium it was a massive let down.

[Villafirst]

I'd also like to add that I thought Neil Taylor was fucking superb today, fair play to him.

Agree, Neil had an excellent game.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

As we approached the ground a patronising Spurs fan said 'welcome to the best ground in the world'. I suspect it may be much better in corporate areas or the home areas but for a supposedly state of the art stadium it was a massive let down.

You can take the Spurs fan out of White Hart Lane but to a man they're all still wankers. Yet to meet a decent one. Arsenal, West Ham, even bloody Chelsea fans but Spurs? I'm still waiting.

[ROBBO]

We started cold in the second half they had three good chances in the first four minutes. Very concerned with having to bring Kodja on we may struggle up front. The defence were brilliant all day and yet just on the second half alone the score line flattered us. As most have pointed out Spurs strength and technique were on a different level but I was disappointed that we totally went into our shell the second half and hardly got past the half way line. Hey ho this season surely is all about playing decent football and avoiding a relegation scrap. I prefer Jack to be an attacking threat that's his strength.

[taylorsworkrate]

Agree about Kodjia. If that is going to be his level of performance this season he can fuck right off.

[Toronto Villa]

Agree about Kodjia. If that is going to be his level of performance this season he can fuck right off.

He came on and we were completely under the cosh. He's never going to be a target man. He's always going to be best playing close the midfield and making runs from out wide. To expect to be everything he is not and have the ball stick to him is unrealistic. By the time he came on Spurs were camped in our half.