Tottenham 2017/18: Suck it Arsenal

Gunfighter 09

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7 points from United - Liverpool - NLD back to back to back is exactly what they needed.

With Toby coming back this week, this team looks deep, dangerous and flexible. On to Turin.
 

Kliq

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I thought it was a little risky playing that high line against the notorious PEA, but they did a good job turning him and Ozil into non-factors. Probably should have been 3-0 but missed some chances and Cech kept them in it.
 

Zososoxfan

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Agreed @Kliq , they're going to need to finish better down the stretch, but this is a big result. Although Dele put in some good defense today, I'd like to see Lamela begin to get some starts. I assume Moura will help in that regard too, but continuing some level of rotation for Son, Eriksen (who was MOTM along with Dembele for me today), and Dele will be key. Also, unless Llorente starts playing better, Kane's legs will likely fall off this season. Wait for his underperformance in the WC.
 

Kliq

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It’s hard to believe a year ago Dele scored 20 goals; I agree he worked hard today but he has lacked any scorer’s touch so far this season. The attempt he had when it was a bouncing ball up towards Cech and he just poked it well wide of the net; it was just so predictable that he would screw that up.

I’m afraid he is going to be one of those young English players that have matriculated over the last ten years that show great promise early in their careers only to set up a disappointing career.
 

Kliq

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I thought the same about Sterling, but that dude has put up stellar numbers this season. So, there's always hope I guess?
Sterling is almost the exception compared to Sturridge, Barkley, Welbeck, Walcott, etc.
 

Zososoxfan

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Sterling is almost the exception compared to Sturridge, Barkley, Welbeck, Walcott, etc.
Totally agree. I was and still am astonished that Sterling remains in MANC's rotation. I for sure thought he would get passed and thought it was a laughable transfer at the time.
 

wonderland

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Sterling is almost the exception compared to Sturridge, Barkley, Welbeck, Walcott, etc.
Sturridge can’t stay healthy. Went off within three minutes today. Same with Welbeck. I’m more surprised when I see him out there than anything else.
 

Merkle's Boner

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Watching Juve game, Aurier is just brutal. I'd be very happy to not see him in a big game again. He's a walking yellow card and has had multiple giveaways.
 

Kliq

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I'm actually glad I was working during this game because just watching the crappy Italain highlight video made me nervous, and I knew the result. To me, Juventus checked off all the boxes about what makes a Serie A team annoying; save for that excellent finish by Higuain for the first goal. A lot of hard challenges and always the first to fall on the turf. Hopefully they can use the away-goal advantage and head to the Quarterfinals.

This has been a brutal stretch, with Spurs playing four straight traditional powers, two of which are on the road, and they have a W-D-W-D to show for it; great work from this bunch.
 

Merkle's Boner

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I missed the first ten minutes, so for me it was a dominating Spurs performance!

Seriously, it was impressive how much possession Spurs had. Even after Eriksen tied it, Juve could not generate anything other than counters. We did look sketchy in the back. Would assume Toby will be back for the Wembley replay.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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I missed the first ten minutes, so for me it was a dominating Spurs performance!

Seriously, it was impressive how much possession Spurs had. Even after Eriksen tied it, Juve could not generate anything other than counters. We did look sketchy in the back. Would assume Toby will be back for the Wembley replay.
That's all true .. but Spurs are dammed lucky to have not given up 4 .. and all to Higuain no less.
 

Zososoxfan

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Really encouraging performance today. The midfield and attack were superb, although the defense was shaky. I like Aurier, but I guess matches like today are why he was available. Both Serge and Davies were pretty bad today. Dele lost track of Higuain on the first goal, but why isn't a CB marking the dangerous CF? Dembele had an insanely good match. Eriksen gets MOTM, but Dembele is 3 stars along with Kane. Dier had an uncharacteristically bad match. Lamela was pretty good in his first big match [near] full 90, and Dele was more efficient than usual. Thought Son should've been on 15-20 minutes that he was, but hard to complain with Poch. Get Toby back and the FBs straightened out, and I like Spurs chances. In the return leg, I'd like to see them stay aggressive and try and pip a goal.
 

InstaFace

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That's all true .. but Spurs are dammed lucky to have not given up 4 .. and all to Higuain no less.
And were a bit unlucky that a point-blank header by Harry f'ing Kane was read psychically by Buffon and parried.

Higuain's first was a jaw-dropper though. I've never seen anyone do anything like that, an in-line pivot volley like a booster rocket. Like an old Zlatan special delivery.
 

Tangled Up In Red

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Lamela is back. Good choice by Poch.
His bite is there - and useful today, just needs to find that last bit of mental magic.
 

DJnVa

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Lamela is back. Good choice by Poch.
His bite is there - and useful today, just needs to find that last bit of mental magic.
And the schedule lines up perfectly--we've come through the steel of the last few weeks, 4 games against top teams--3 in PL and now Juventus, with 7 of 9 PL points, and then 2 away goals and they now get Rochdale (likely relegated from League 1 in few months) then Crystal Palace, Huddersfield, JUVENTUS, Bournemouth, and Newcastle.

Let's not Spurs it up.
 

coremiller

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Managing to get through that stretch without losing any ground in the top 4 race was huge (instead they gained ground). While Spurs play weaker sides the next four weeks, Chelsea and Arsenal have to play City, and Chelsea/United and United/Liverpool have to play each other. If Spurs can hold serve there will be opportunities to gain ground on the teams around them.

Also, the team is finally getting healthy which means they now have something like real depth. They went toe-to-toe with Juve last night while not starting Son, Wanyama, Lucas, Alderweireld, Rose, or Winks. The squad goes 17-18 deep now instead of the 13-14 of a couple years ago.
 

DJnVa

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You can go play with the table calculator here: http://www.worldfootball.net/table_calculator/eng-premier-league/

Spurs play 11 more PL games, and only 2 against top 6 sides--Man City and Chelsea. If they take care of business elsewhere, just getting a point against Chelsea should be enough to make the final game against Leicester meaningless. Chelsea still has ManU, ManCity, and Liverpool in addition to playing Spurs.
 

eddiew112

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The key for me over the last four games has been Dembele. He's my favorite player on the team besides Kane, so it's been awesome to see him back in elite form after he looked sluggish earlier this season.
 

Zososoxfan

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The key for me over the last four games has been Dembele. He's my favorite player on the team besides Kane, so it's been awesome to see him back in elite form after he looked sluggish earlier this season.
Agree with this. Dembele has been absolute class the past couple of weeks. He has stabilized the midfield which allows the 3 AMFs to roam freely and create a lot of challenging situations for the opposing defense. Eriksen in particular seems to have stepped up his game and has really stirred the drink for this offense.

Interesting to see Kane try to drag out the defense to the sidelines yesterday. He would drift out to the left in the second half while the 3 AMFs made intelligent runs through the middle. Juve likely had a system in place to neutralize Harry and Poch countered by letting his creative players take tons of space in the middle.
 

coremiller

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The side for the FA cup tie at Rochdale is an entirely rotated starting XI from the team that started at Juve:


I think that's the right call. What I also like about this is that Spurs have enough depth now that they can roll out a complete second string that actually has quite a few good players.
 

caseumsd

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Going to need a second half comeback again. Tell me again why Llorente or Sissoko ever play? I know it’s a league one side, and we need to rest players, but we need to start winning trophies to keep players here.
 
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Schnerres

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So they should play in the knockout matches in the CL or in the Premier League matches vs probably better opposition than today? But of course, run the first 11 into the ground in 55 matches + WC games! Oléééééé!
 

caseumsd

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So they should play in the knockout matches in the CL or in the Premier League matches vs probably better opposition than today? But of course, run the first 11 into the ground in 55 matches + WC games! Oléééééé!
I’m not saying they have to all play every game, but a completely all different starting 11 for the game mid-week? This is the 5th round of the FA cup, they should be trying to put their best team out there to win trophies.
 
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Merkle's Boner

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I feel this has been Son's worst game in a long time. Just terrible first touches in the first half. I wonder if he's pissed off to be included on the B team.
 

Kliq

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Gotta love the FA Cup, but you can’t mess around with a Leauge One team, you can’t keep playing these replays to go with their already busy schedule.
 
Gotta love the FA Cup, but you can’t mess around with a Leauge One team, you can’t keep playing these replays to go with their already busy schedule.
I know this is the conventional wisdom...but if Spurs play a second XI in the replay, which they certainly will, and they win, which they certainly will, where's the harm in this? It just means getting some of your lesser-used players more match fitness and experience, which should make them more capable of contributing down the stretch. Maybe the real problem is that Pochettino will have to devote his time to planning and practicing for Rochdale instead of having a whole week to focus on the next Premiership fixture...but for the players, I feel this is an overrated worry.

Also...that Davies control and finish at the end to tie the match was a thing of beauty. Rochdale played very, very well.
 

DJnVa

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Kane with late winner to grab 3 big points at Crystal Palace. Could be in a good spot with the Chelsa-ManU game happening now.
 

Kliq

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Yup, Spurs move into fourth with Chelsea’s loss. Kane probably should have had a hat trick but you’ll take the three points on the road. With Chelsea playing Man City next week and Spurs playing Huddersfield; they have a good chance of opening up a wider margin.

Their schedule is really soft the rest of the way; a second place finish is realistically in play.
 

DJnVa

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Yeah...was pulling for a draw with ManU and Chelsea today, but as long as the Spurs got their 3 (barely) it didn't matter much.
 

Merkle's Boner

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I've enjoyed he limited time for Lucas Moura so far. It will be interesting to see if he gets more run the rest of the way. I'll take him over most of the other options like Lamela, Sissoko, Winks.
 

DJnVa

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That looked like every guy in my indoor league when there's an open net 4 feet in front of him.
 

Mugsy's Jock

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Yup, Spurs move into fourth with Chelsea’s loss. Kane probably should have had a hat trick but you’ll take the three points on the road. With Chelsea playing Man City next week and Spurs playing Huddersfield; they have a good chance of opening up a wider margin.

Their schedule is really soft the rest of the way; a second place finish is realistically in play.
The way I eyeballed the rest of the schedule, Liverpool and Arsenal seem to have the easiest remaining paths.

Spurs still have Man City at Wembley, plus travel to Chelsea.
Liverpool have Man U and Chelsea, both on the road.
Man U host Liverpool and Arsenal, and has to go cross-town for a Derby
Chelsea go to Man City, and host Spurs and Liverpool
Arsenal has only a trip to Man U, but fuck Arsenal.
 

coremiller

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Arsenal also have to play City on Thursday. After that Arsenal have the easiest fixtures, but if they lose on Thursday they'll be 10 points behind Spurs in 4th with 10 games to go. That is a lot of ground to make up.
 

Kliq

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After a wacky first half; Llorente delivers a second half hat trick as Spurs finally put away Rochdale at Wembley. A winnable game this Saturday against Huddersfield followed by the big second leg against Juventus on Wednesday. If Spurs can make it to the quarterfinals while going through Dortmund, Madrid and Juventus, it’s going to be a good year imo.
 

Kliq

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They really should make sure that Harry Kane is making more than Christian Benteke or Feillini before chasing after Reus imo.