Spurs v Villa Post Match Thread.

[stubbsyandy]

I would have brought Ty on instead of Diego

[PaulWinch again]

Two issues, which are probably interlinked. Players look out of form and our structure is all over the place. This season I felt like at times we’re trying to run before we can walk - flooding forward in attack without that solid defensive foundation. Whatever it takes we absolutely must sort our lack of defensive cohesion and care or we’re simply not going to be able to score enough to maintain positive results.

[Jane]

We've been in decline since Footy left the site.

I get what you mean! It's tough seeing the team struggle, especially after Footy’s departure. But I believe we can turn things around! Let's stay positive and keep supporting the lads—there’s always hope for better days ahead!

Who are you, and what have you done with my husband that was saying we were shit a couple of hours ago!??

[eamonn]

How will Percy's Diego v Cash stats be reflected today? When the latter went off, were we losing or drawing?

[brontebilly]

Struggling to pick our MOTM , possibly Ramsey

Digne was very good. Martinez, Cash, Onana all did ok too. Cash and Rogers going off was critical I think. Our defensive line went to absolute bits for an embarrassing second goal. Rogers going off finished any connection our midfield had with our forwards.

[Monty]

How will Percy's Diego v Cash stats be reflected today? When the latter went off, were we losing or drawing?

Cash did have a good game and Carlos a poor one, but it's not really about that in the end I'd say. Our whole game was skew-wiff.

[Rigadon]

How will Percy's Diego v Cash stats be reflected today? When the latter went off, were we losing or drawing?

Cash did have a good game and Carlos a poor one, but it's not really about that in the end I'd say. Our whole game was skew-wiff.

2nd half, after Cash (and then even more so, Rogers) went off we looked less robust and susceptible to attacks and less likely to score.  But I have to also say that, like with Newcastle last season, we weren't being thrashed.  4-1 flatters them in the extreme. 

[enigma]

Yep, we fell apart when Rogers went off in the way I'd hoped Spurs would when Son and Romero went off.

[Monty]

How will Percy's Diego v Cash stats be reflected today? When the latter went off, were we losing or drawing?

Cash did have a good game and Carlos a poor one, but it's not really about that in the end I'd say. Our whole game was skew-wiff.

2nd half, after Cash (and then even more so, Rogers) went off we looked less robust and susceptible to attacks and less likely to score.  But I have to also say that, like with Newcastle last season, we weren't being thrashed.  4-1 flatters them in the extreme. 

I think it was more about the defence just not coping with the pressure put on them by the team in general not keeping any of the ball. Rogers not releasing that pressure with his runs is surely a part of that.

[Demitri_C]

How will Percy's Diego v Cash stats be reflected today? When the latter went off, were we losing or drawing?

Today was a prime example why we need reinforcements in defence. Id upgrade both carlos and cash in summer.

I thought we invested 50m on onana to help on the defensive side of things but we look arguably worse than last year defensively

[VillaTim]

How will Percy's Diego v Cash stats be reflected today? When the latter went off, were we losing or drawing?

Cash did have a good game and Carlos a poor one, but it's not really about that in the end I'd say. Our whole game was skew-wiff.

2nd half, after Cash (and then even more so, Rogers) went off we looked less robust and susceptible to attacks and less likely to score.  But I have to also say that, like with Newcastle last season, we weren't being thrashed.  4-1 flatters them in the extreme. 

I think it was more about the defence just not coping with the pressure put on them by the team in general not keeping any of the ball. Rogers not releasing that pressure with his runs is surely a part of that.

His runs are great TV but when he loses it we get caught on the counter

[Beard82]

I think the problem was more we couldnt keep the fucking ball.  Last year we were great at taking the sting out of games by keeping the ball - but we struggle to do that without luiz and kamara. 

[Demitri_C]

I think the problem was more we couldnt keep the fucking ball.  Last year we were great at taking the sting out of games by keeping the ball - but we struggle to do that without luiz and kamara.

I dont think some realise what luiz bought to this side. Id take him back in a heart beat

[Taylor]

How will Percy's Diego v Cash stats be reflected today? When the latter went off, were we losing or drawing?

Today was a prime example why we need reinforcements in defence. Id upgrade both carlos and cash in summer.

I thought we invested 50m on onana to help on the defensive side of things but we look arguably worse than last year defensively

I thought Onana was our best player today.

[supertom]

A little worried about our fitness. Emery's patient build up is great for conserving energy when we do it effectively. I think since he's been here our distance covered has been consistently near the bottom of the division, which basically means we're efficient in how we get results (for the most part).

But as Spurs showed today and the last time out, if we're pressed hard and have to chase the ball more, and if the opposition shift gears in the 70th minute, we look fucked.

Are we fit enough? 3 matches a week is one thing, but I'm thinking more within a single 90 minutes. Ordinarily, we're good at conserving and then we hit the gears up in the second half and have effective subs. But if we've used up too much and get overloaded (and the subs aren't effective) then it's an issue. Yeah, probably more so against top 8 opposition.

Today was a bit of a throwaway though. Energy levels aside, to concede that early in the second half was poor concentration (not for the first time). By the time they hit their third, Watkins was done in. Onana couldn't match his first half brilliance. Tielemens was out of puff. On top of that, there's those players working their way back from long term injuries. Considering we're effectively on a clean bill of health and most of the team were rested midweek, they didn't half look done in, during the second half.

I think we may have to adapt the system when we play clubs like Spurs with how high they press.

McGinn out on the right just doesn't work either.

As for Spurs, I will enjoy a week of garish praise lavished on them returning as a top 4 contender, only to drop points at home to Ipswich. The commentary team today were overfuckingjoyed that Spurs won.