In this article I want to talk just about yesterday's game I have something else for the other topics.
Against Man Utd we had struggled in the past, but since AVB's arrival we have seen much better games and better results against a team that have now not lost at WHL in 13 games.
For the first time this season we saw 11 players come out and play the game that all Spurs fans had become accustom to watching. The players were energetic and very creative, which are surely the two things we have been missing?
Some of the stats I feel did not reflect the game as I had seen it, but I must be looking at it from a bias view.
Post game stats show just 45% possession, however it seemed that Tottenham had a lot more of the ball. Our pass and tackle succession has dropped into the 70% range, which is what had let them down yesterday. Also I could see that more of the game was played on the wings, with more crosses than we have seen in a while (just unfortunate that Soldado was not on the end of the balls). Almost 8% of the game was played by Tottenham on Utd's wings (compared to Utd’s 10%), but still it shows improvement.
The difference was Lennon and I agreed with the crowds boo's as he was substituted for Townsend when Chadli was mediocre at best! It also marked a return to form of Sandro (second best scorer in stats on the day). It was a wonder goal that certainly suits the Brazilian style and Utd were rocked, but their experience dragged them through the game.
From the off Tottenham played well, but still did not press the opposition enough. This was very apparent with the likes of Vertonghen allowing Valencia the time and space to work around him on several occasions. As a team they need to be faster to that ball, there seems to be too much zonal play. A well gelled team with experience behind them it can work well, but not in a team with 7 new additions.
Until the substitutes I agreed with everything other than Chadli's inclusion and Lamela's absence. More importantly the team truly looked like they were on AVB's side. If it was not for an unfortunate and unavoidable mistake from Walker and a striker looking for a penalty, Tottenham would have walked away victorious (but it was Wellbeck’s right to go down).
With a bit more awareness and closing down defensively we are there amongst the best. With some more creativity, diagonal balls and crosses the team are there going forward. Of course with a confident striker they are complete, but it's only simple things.
Soldado was unfortunate not to score yesterday. He is so desperate to score and rub every negative Nancy's face in it, but he should know that he needs composure not desperation. Even if he had of scored and Spurs lost, his head would be getting into the right place. Although I did not see the benefit of taking him off instead of Chadli for Defoe's inclusions. I expected to see a complete change in tactics to a 4-4-2, but again this was not to be. We can all say about if someone had of done this or that, but we shall never know. The 4-4-1-1 achieved 2 goals and one of which was in open play and the first in just under 500 minutes or so.
It is easy for anyone to criticise without being in the hot seat.
With the performance from yesterday and the newfound confidence I feel that we should see a turning point for the team.
With Fulham up next I expect the team to show a managerless Fulham what they are truly capable of.
So AVB I feel you need Lamela, Townsend and Lennon out there and tell them to get Soldado that goal (more importantly in open play).
Let's see them build on yesterday’s performance that should of seen Spurs walk away with all 3 points.
COYS!!!
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