Spurs 2014-15: Have You Found Our Lost Argentine?

[Gunfighter 09]

That was a nice win. I really enjoy the way Kane plays. 
 
I felt a bit guilty about the non call on the handball off of the corner at 89 minutes, but I really don't see how the Kane breakaway was not called a penalty at 90'. 

 

[Tangled Up In Red]

Great result. Thrilled for Soldado. Team played like... a team with a plan. (Even Paulhino looked good in his cameo)

 

[mgoblue2]

That was a nice win. I really enjoy the way Kane plays. 
 
I felt a bit guilty about the non call on the handball off of the corner at 89 minutes, but I really don't see how the Kane breakaway was not called a penalty at 90'. 

He was pulling on Besic's shirt and I think it could have gone either way. Same with the handball, but y'all deserved that win.

 

[eddiew112]

Lots of things to like about this game. They pressed effectively throughout most of the game and looked very solid at the back. Lennon had his best game in a while and it showed; Everton really got nothing going down the left when he was in the game.
 
Vert, Lennon, Bentaleb, Eriksen, and Kane stood out for me, all of them were fantastic. Chiriches was solid positionally but had his standard half-dozen brainfarts on the ball. Also thought Davies put in a solid shift on the left.
 
We are catching a bit of break next week playing Chelsea without Costa.

 

[URI]

I don't have anything to add. The first time in a while I've been optimistic after a game.

 

[coremiller]

So it turns out having Aaron Lennon try to mark Eden Hazard was a bad idea.  1-0 to Chelsea.  Just before the goal, they showed a graphic that Spurs are winless in their last 27 matches against Chelsea.

 

[coremiller]

Also on the list of bad ideas: having your keeper pass the ball straight to the other team.  2-0.  Chelsea are pushing around the smaller Spurs midfield.

 

[eddiew112]

So when is the red card coming?

 

[teddykgb]

A little help here guys? Maybe a draw?

 

[coremiller]

A little help here guys? Maybe a draw?

 
LOL.  You realize this is Spurs, right?

 

[eddiew112]

Spurs were lucky to escape with a point today. Woeful performance and a series of odd decisions from Pochettino, from the starting lineup to the substitutions. Paulinho on when we are chasing the game? Really? 

 

[coremiller]

Spurs cruised past Newcastle 4-0 in the Capital One Cuppity Cup Cup quarters and lucked out with the semis draw, getting Sheffield United instead of Liverpool or Chelsea.  They will be big favorites to secure a place in the final.  

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Hey- can you clowns beat a fucking 3rd Division side please. I know you like to get all Spurs-y sometimes, but not here.
 
Thanks.

 

[URI]

I make no promises.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I make no promises.

 
Well Jesus, nor would I if I were a Spurs fan.

 

[Stanley Steamer]

Maybe if we build expectations up, it will help the team perform better......
4-0 over Newcastle. That's impressive. I didnt catch the game, how'd they look? Has Pochettino finally got them playing up to his standards? I did see the tail end of their win over Swansea, and liked the way Eriksen took charge.

 

[DJnVa]

Here's video of all the goals: http://www.timesoccer.com/video/04/19-tottenham-vs-newcastle-live-match-highlights.html
 
And some Russian commentary.

 

[DJnVa]

I love Harry Kane
 

 
 
Here I am, rock you like a Harry Kane
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxdmw4tJJ1Y

 

[Gunfighter 09]

Our lost Argentine had his ridiculous goal as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkXQNJpWwv8
 
The team looked much less effective  defensively when Mason went off. It didn't seem like Stambouli was exposed, he just didn't seem to mix with Bentleb that well. 

 

[URI]

Suck my butt. Suck it hard.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

Do Spurs want to win today?

Considering that they earned themselves a tougher road through Europa and they are so close to 4th, along with the fact that they are in good position to get to Wembly for the C1C, wouldn't they be better off getting out of the FA cup early?

 

[DJnVa]

Well, the starting XI has Vorm, Chiriches, Davies, Paulinho, Stambouli, and Soldado, so while I'm sure they'll take a win, it doesn't seem to be a huge priority.
 
 
Also, I thought this thread bump was going to be URI posting that he was still drunk.

 

[DJnVa]

1-0 Spurs with about 20 minutes to play. Chadli scored in the 56th minute.
 
Based only on the ESPN stats (Burnley with nearly 70% possession) the goal was against the run of play and Spurs likely don't care all that much about the outcome.

 

[DJnVa]

Annnnnd, Burnley has evened the match.

 

[URI]

A replay was the worst possible outcome, really.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Yup. Didn't not care enough

 

[DJnVa]

Yedlin's first training session:
 

 
 
And story: http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/01/06/new-tottenham-arrival-deandre-yedlin-admits-surprise-at-meteoric/

 

[DJnVa]

A win is a win is a win. That said, the Spurs 3rd goal was not offside. The linesman didn't just blow the call, he blew the rule. Offside isn't applied in your own half of the field.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Pretty horrendous call

 

[DJnVa]

Yep. Sunderland goalie was behind the play (yes, seriously), so there was only the one player between the player and goal but it's CLEARLY not over midfield.

 

[DJnVa]

Kyle Naughton heading to Swansea: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-agree-5million-deal-swansea-5009015
 
Aaron Lennon rumored to be next to go, along with Soldado.
 
Tottenham wants Benteke: http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/01/20/report-christian-benteke-is-high-on-tottenhams-january-transfer/

 

[coremiller]

With Yedlin's arrival they had a logjam at the backup RB spot.  Naughton was never especially impressive (although he was forced to play too much on his weaker side, which didn't help), he had chances to establish himself and didn't take them.
 
Lennon is a one-trick pony whose trick is useful but he's only going to get worse with age as he loses his speed.  Selling him to a PL club that will overpay for an fast English traditional winger is the right move.
 
Benteke is an interesting case.  His scoring record this year is terrible: he has only two goals in 11 appearances, after nabbing 29 in his previous 60.  It could be a buy-low opportunity, or it could be a guy who has been figured out or never recovered his old speed/athleticism/touch after his achilles injury.  Still, prime-age strikers with that size, speed, and scoring record are rare.  I would expect there would be competition for him, but City and Utd aren't buying more strikers, and Arsenal probably aren't either after buying Welbeck last summer.  Chelsea might be interested, and they could use some striker depth, although Benteke obv wouldn't start there, and it wouldn't be the first time Chelsea bought a player just to mess with Spurs (e.g. Willian).  That lessens the competition among the English teams that can afford to pay a 20m+ fee + wages, and Benteke is probably not quite good enough to get interest from the superrich Contintental clubs.  Has anyone seen him play this year?

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Hey- can you clowns beat a fucking 3rd Division side please. I know you like to get all Spurs-y sometimes, but not here.
 
Thanks.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Christ. I would have no hair if I had to be a fucking Spurs fan...just don't make it easy do ya?
 
Thanks for taking care of that porcine problem.
 
Edit: good luck at Wembley. 

 

[DJnVa]

Two more goals for Kane and a nice 3-0 win over WBA.

 

[eddiew112]

I am cautiously optimistic about the direction of this team. In years past an away game against a bottom table side following an emotional high midweek would have been the perfect recipe for a letdown. We're on to Woolwich!

 

[Gunfighter 09]

I imagine some combination of Monday and next Saturday morning will tell us most of what we need to know going forward. 

 

[DJnVa]

Dele Alli to Tottenham, well almost: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/who-is-dele-alli-tottenham-close-to-completing-deal-for-next-steven-gerrard-10018601.html
 

Who is Dele Alli? Tottenham close to completing deal for 'next Steven Gerrard'

 

 
Despite his age, Alli has scored 18 goals in 60 first team appearances. He has featured for England up to Under-19s level and, with a growing reputation, has reportedly been scouted by a host of European clubs including Bayern Munich.
 

 

[eddiew112]

No Sanchez this weekend for Arsenal

 

[eddiew112]

What a great win. Spurs were the better team throughout the game, when was the last time Spurs dominated Arsenal in the midfield? Our young core looks better and better every game. Bentaleb, Mason, Kane, Dier, all very good today. The future is bright!

 

[coremiller]

Even as recently as a couple weeks ago I thought they had very little chance of finishing Top 4.  But having beaten both Chelsea and Arsenal in the last five weeks, the potential is there.  The next fixture away to Liverpool is huge, especially since Liverpool have owned them the last three meetings (combined aggregate 12-0).  I still think they probably finish fifth, but If Spurs can get something from that game, they will have a real chance.  

 

[DJnVa]

They also have a road to the Champions League through the Europa League now as well.

 

[URI]

The positives are immense, but there are still too many lows on this squad I think.
 
Like you mentioned the last few weeks, and do you know what else happened?  Losing to Palace, crashing out of the FA Cup, struggling against a League 1 team to get the League Cup finals...
 
The valleys still need to come up a bit for me to be really bullish on this team for the year.
 
The biggest positive, for me so far is that Poch seems to have gotten the guys to buy in, and integrate into his system.  Spurs need stability badly.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

 Thoroughly outplaying Man U, destroying Chelsea, and beating Arsenal all point toward this team being young and playing at a different level when the motivation is higher.  
 
Mixed in with the Europa matches, today's match along with Liverpool and WestHamm will tell us quite a bit about where they are headed: 
 

 
 
Chart from CF Captain. http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2015/2/6/7991745/premier-league-projections-week-24
 
 
Finally, I am no expert, but I liked everything about today's lineup except for I still think Townsend and all of his speed would be better for the team than Lamela and his dribble towards the middle and then turn the ball over game. He was better when he stayed wide in the second half, but I find him so frustrating. 

 

[coremiller]

This Liverpool fixture worries me.  They've lost their last three to Liverpool by a combined 12-0, and there's a real risk of a letdown following the emotional high of the NLD victory with the short turn-around.
 
Pocchetino has named an unchanged side.  

 

[Gunfighter 09]

This match is a bit too exciting for my taste. 

 

[DJnVa]

Most goals in calendar year 2015 in top 5 leagues:
 
Messi: 8
Kane: 8

 

[eddiew112]

I fucking hate Danny Rose. What a stupid, stupid player

 

[URI]

So I just watched the game...
 
I'm going to fight Danny Rose.  I swear.

 

[fletcherpost]

To his credit, as soon as he made the challenge he knew he fucked up, so he'll learn from that. He could easily have put his hands in the air, prentended he made a good challenge, still conceded the Pen. But he's young and full of beans, keen as mustard...I liked the shot of him, post tackle, gutted. We've all said it before but this might be a new dawn for Spurs. There was nothing in the game today, and what a game, Spurs deserved a point.
 
They're a really young team, i think the average age is 23 and change, or was for the Arsenal Match. If they can keep building brick by brick. They need to hang on to Kane and if he can hold his form as he improves as a player (he'll need to for the same reasons Lukaku and Benteke need(ed) to; defenses will do their homework) that can consistently get around 20 league goals a season, if they keep putting in the workrate that is seeing them scoring late to get results...well, they can be serious top four contenders, which is what they are right now, just not as serious.
 
I tried to go for a big finnish, but you can be as optimistic as you like but it's so hard to get into the top four and even harder to do it year in year out. which is faint praise for Arsenal and even further away from what i was intending. Cnuts.