First I would like to point out that I have gone through the post match interview with AVB and I DO NOT like it. A manager with confidence when asked if this is the spring board to bounce back would say yes, no hesitations simply a yes. However AVB's response was hopefully. Many times he is asked about Tottenham now coming back and it was all HOPEFULLY? When asked if that takes off the pressure he then decides to dodge the question and for once puts the emphasis on all teams looking for the top 4 (FINALLY). I prefer to see a manager not take the limelight.
For me we are not out of the woods yet and it was AVB's response to the questions that has me hesitant.
That aside let's look at the game.
57% possession, 86% tackle succession and 82% pass completion. 5 shots on target (POOR), 7 off target and 6 blocked. So a total of 18 shots humm. The issue is there in front of us. The really good thing is that Tottenham have upped their possession on the wings in the final third. The team almost got up to 10%! Now that is what we have all been waiting for. Ok shots on target are still low, but what do you expect if we use the wings, but put a small lone striker up front?
It is clear that the team are struggling to create the RIGHT chances. No one can say that Defoe should be put in ahead of Soldado as again our strikers failed to score (so it’s not just Roberto)! As far as I am concerned it is a supply issue, always has been and will continue to be.
Looking at the left (which is my problem area) Lamela had a chance which he fluffed, but he should of done better. I feel that we will see him settle with more game time. He allowed the game to be spread and did not constantly cut in (as we have seen with Sigurdsson). Lennon is looking good and should continue to improve with further games under his belt. If we had some confident strikers he would of found himself with an assist yesterday. It makes me happy to see the wings being used now, just need to get the right pass/ cross in to create those important chances.
Sandro is back to his normal self seemingly with another solid performance, but Paulinho had another quiet game. When presented with an opportunity he also (like Lamela) fluffed his lines. Capoue was solid, but was taken off and replaced by the winning goalscorer Holtby. Holtby is a work horse, he runs constantly, but has lacked the finished article. If he can continue to shoot as he did last night we may see him stepping up (as was expected at the beginning of last year).
Walker and Vertonghen played well, but Kyle certainly proved the better outlet. The two get forward well, but I feel that Vertonghen does tire himself out too quickly and it shows when he gets caught out of position. Chiriches is a man on the rise and a goal yesterday is showing that we have a CB that is a threat anywhere on the pitch. He moves forward well and I am confident in seeing him bring the ball out of our half, however I cannot say this about Dawson. It seems that the Captain is in fact on the slide. I cannot count on two hands the amount of times he brings the ball forward and loses it to the opposition. His awareness has dropped and it is best that AVB give him some time off.
So two good goals (from open play), no clean sheet (thank you Dawson) and no presence up front (even with Defoe's inclusion).
The result is good, but still the team are left scratching our heads as to why we struggle to create the chances. For me it's obvious. Start the right players and continue to field them. Do not tinker unnecessarily! Against Utd we did very well. We scrapped the possession and came away better for it. Last night we should have fielded a similar team and without consistency we will continue to struggle to gel and then create those chances.
I am happy with the result, but not happy with the game. I agree that Lamela should have been played, but I would not have put him on the left! AVB tried him there before and it failed, so why try it again? Townsend left, Lamela Support man and Lennon right. Is it that difficult to understand?
Let's see what Sunday's game against Sunderland holds, it's away again, but against the league's bottom team. Can we please keep some consistency AVB?
COYS!!!!
Email me on hogggatspursmad@hotmail.com or follow me on www.facebook.com/TottenhamMad and twitter https://twitter.com/THSpursMad