Pau Torres

[Somniloquism]

As well as we passed the ball, there really should be no excuse at this level for maybe 30 yards of space between the two Burnley defenders for Malen to run into and I think it could have been Tuanzebe completely awol in front of them.

Agreed on Torres generally, he takes risks on the ball that can create that extra critical yard or so for our midfielders to get turned on it.

Walker was in our corner flag with Digne, the RCM had pushed on to Torres and the RCB was right up pushing against Rogers. Torres ball took him out of the game and Watkins coming right to the byline took the middle CB out as well. That meant the LCB had to come across and the left wingback just allowed Malen to move into the space without following him. As soon as they lost the ball on the byline the LCB saw Watkins had two yards on the defenders and moved initially towards him giving them loads of space. They excuse was we played through their press brilliantly.

[john e]

As well as we passed the ball, there really should be no excuse at this level for maybe 30 yards of space between the two Burnley defenders for Malen to run into and I think it could have been Tuanzebe completely awol in front of them.

Agreed on Torres generally, he takes risks on the ball that can create that extra critical yard or so for our midfielders to get turned on it.

Walker was in our corner flag with Digne, the RCM had pushed on to Torres and the RCB was right up pushing against Rogers. Torres ball took him out of the game and Watkins coming right to the byline took the middle CB out as well. That meant the LCB had to come across and the left wingback just allowed Malen to move into the space without following him. As soon as they lost the ball on the byline the LCB saw Watkins had two yards on the defenders and moved initially towards him giving them loads of space. They excuse was we played through their press brilliantly.

it was still shambolic defending which we caused and then punished

[Somniloquism]

Yep. They were pulled out of position BECAUSE we pulled them out of position. TBH at one or two places we could easily have lost the ball as well, and against some teams earlier this season we were losing out all too easily

[eye digress]

With Torres, it seems we’ve had three full phases. In the first phase after his arrival in the squad, we went on the tremendous run that formed the basis of our CL qualification, during which he was pulling the strings from the back. I can’t bring to mind any other centre back playing quite as expansively as him at that time.

In the second phase, teams tried to counter him by forcing him in off the left and onto his right foot. While that did slow him down, it didn’t nullify him entirely.

Then came the bullying phase, where opposing teams singled him out for pace and power. That, combined with fitness and form issues, really did seem to put the blockers on him.

Have we now found a way to counter that, or have we just met a few teams who didn’t do their homework?

I do hope it’s the former, as he’s a terrific player to watch when he’s on his game.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Yep. They were pulled out of position BECAUSE we pulled them out of position. TBH at one or two places we could easily have lost the ball as well, and against some teams earlier this season we were losing out all too easily

Indeed. Watkins did well to not only keep the ball in play but to get the pass through Rogers who immediately fed Kamara to release Malen. It was fluid and as you say, something we really struggled with earlier this season.

[john e]

Yep. They were pulled out of position BECAUSE we pulled them out of position. TBH at one or two places we could easily have lost the ball as well, and against some teams earlier this season we were losing out all too easily

That’s why I said we caused it
having said that if it was the other way around I would be fuming and blaming our central defenders

[brontebilly]

With Torres, it seems we’ve had three full phases. In the first phase after his arrival in the squad, we went on the tremendous run that formed the basis of our CL qualification, during which he was pulling the strings from the back. I can’t bring to mind any other centre back playing quite as expansively as him at that time.

In the second phase, teams tried to counter him by forcing him in off the left and onto his right foot. While that did slow him down, it didn’t nullify him entirely.

Then came the bullying phase, where opposing teams singled him out for pace and power. That, combined with fitness and form issues, really did seem to put the blockers on him.

Have we now found a way to counter that, or have we just met a few teams who didn’t do their homework?

I do hope it’s the former, as he’s a terrific player to watch when he’s on his game.

Thought he played well at Feyenoord, you could see the confidence returning to his play. That was gone for quite a while. Yesterday was as easy a game as we will have at PL level so for me we will learn a lot more next Sunday. Would still worry about Konsa/Torres as a pair with Cash or Digne/Maatsen. That back four combo are very vulnerable in the air.

I also thought we passed with a bit more purpose yesterday. Both Konsa and Torres, less standing on the ball. But it was very easy.

[Somniloquism]

Yep. They were pulled out of position BECAUSE we pulled them out of position. TBH at one or two places we could easily have lost the ball as well, and against some teams earlier this season we were losing out all too easily

That’s why I said we caused it
having said that if it was the other way around I would be fuming and blaming our central defenders

And why I agreed with yep.

[john e]

Yep. They were pulled out of position BECAUSE we pulled them out of position. TBH at one or two places we could easily have lost the ball as well, and against some teams earlier this season we were losing out all too easily

That’s why I said we caused it
having said that if it was the other way around I would be fuming and blaming our central defenders

And why I agreed with yep.

Yep

[Mister E]

With Torres, it seems we’ve had three full phases. In the first phase after his arrival in the squad, we went on the tremendous run that formed the basis of our CL qualification, during which he was pulling the strings from the back. I can’t bring to mind any other centre back playing quite as expansively as him at that time.

In the second phase, teams tried to counter him by forcing him in off the left and onto his right foot. While that did slow him down, it didn’t nullify him entirely.

Then came the bullying phase, where opposing teams singled him out for pace and power. That, combined with fitness and form issues, really did seem to put the blockers on him.

Have we now found a way to counter that, or have we just met a few teams who didn’t do their homework?

I do hope it’s the former, as he’s a terrific player to watch when he’s on his game.

Thought he played well at Feyenoord, you could see the confidence returning to his play. That was gone for quite a while. Yesterday was as easy a game as we will have at PL level so for me we will learn a lot more next Sunday. Would still worry about Konsa/Torres as a pair with Cash or Digne/Maatsen. That back four combo are very vulnerable in the air.
I also thought we passed with a bit more purpose yesterday. Both Konsa and Torres, less standing on the ball. But it was very easy.

But when we played a double pivot - as we did yesterday - maybe that is how we released Torres to do what he does best.

[Dave]

Appreciate the loudest noise was binned off the site, but those "we only win matches when Mings plays" and endless goals against analysis posts seem to have to dried up.

[Monty]

Appreciate the loudest noise was binned off the site, but those "we only win matches when Mings plays" and endless goals against analysis posts seem to have to dried up.

Yep. He was playing badly and deserved much of his criticism, but an in-form Pau is a player who changes the shape of the whole game. He's so good at the offside line, and that squeezing of the play opens so many more opportunities, not least for himself to break the lines with dribbling and passing

[Mellin]

The criticism was deserved last season. Back to his best and great to see.

[Somniloquism]

From the BBC live text in the 90th minute.

Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa


Jonathan Pearce
BBC commentator on Radio 5 Live at Tottenham Hotspur stadium

Villa have a centre half in Torres that was playing centre forward. I'm not too sure his manager will be happy with that... He's not. He's just screamed at him to get back and he runs back with a flea in his ear.

[Ian.]

Appreciate the loudest noise was binned off the site, but those "we only win matches when Mings plays" and endless goals against analysis posts seem to have to dried up.

Yep. He was playing badly and deserved much of his criticism, but an in-form Pau is a player who changes the shape of the whole game. He's so good at the offside line, and that squeezing of the play opens so many more opportunities, not least for himself to break the lines with dribbling and passing

Thinking back, we had a situation where we played with a different back four up until February due to injuries, Pau probably wasn’t quite up to speed, but needs must and he had to play at times.