Thought Taylor was alright tbh. 

Poch finally found/ settled upon his best 11 and it’s showing. Took a bit of time but this week he’s demonstrated his managerial pedigree and got us 4 points against the top 2 EPL leaders when I for one had been doubtful of getting any, I am as The Monkees said all those years ago - A Believer ! 
Just need to play the top 6 all season long like in MLS where they play each other 4 times a season or something silly and we’d be sorted (🤔 🌍 league😂) 
 

 

Imagine if it took much less time to get the squad running, if we had won against Brentford and N.Forest we would be top 6-7 right now with only 6 points behind Man City/Arsenal.

2 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

This is the big test. How do we consistently win these small games against defensive teams?

Exactly. Only Luton we have beaten in the league who approached us defensively, and even they did not have an ultra low block.

Fulham, Burnley, Spurs, the draws vs Pool, City, Arsenal, all sides who wanted to play against us.

Pochettino said himself he does not know how to break the low block. IF he figures it out then, and only then, can we be one of the top sides again.

It has been said for a while, even as recently as Brentford, that if we fall behind we give up.

Burnley, Spurs and now City thrice, recovered from losing positions to get 2 wins and a draw.

What is next is falling behind in the second half of games and being able to come back and win, because even the best teams will still have those games the fall behind in the second half and find ways to win.

The team needs to continue to show this recent fight, not willing to give up, no matter who the opponent is. Then that belief will return to the fan base, which in turn will help the team more.

Credit to Pochettino for starting to make headway with this.

Edited November 13, 20232 yr by axman2526

he just needed time and im glad people gave him time

On 12/11/2023 at 00:50, JM7 said:

One thing that I’m pleased about with Poch is that our record in big games appears to be improving. Unbeaten against Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs now. 

Big tick for mine.

The key now is to narrow the gap between our best and worst.

Results against mid table and lower placed sides has to improve.

This is why I am a fan of the shorter contracts, let the coach work for the extension. We saw how motivated TT was after he got the 18 month contract. Pochettino only has 24 months.

I'm just glad people can see that he is a good coach, it's not an easy squad to work with in terms of genuine quality. There is obviously talent there, but with the majority of the team new and young it would take a miracle worker to have us compete at the highest level. 

This season is slightly unique in that the new UCL rules will be applied upon the conclusion therefore as mentioned by the commentators depending on this seasons results 5th place could secure UCL (supposedly there is currently a 78% chance this occurs for an EPL team).

As much as I would want to be back in the ucl it would be difficult to expect much from a young squad like this, whereas if we qualify for the Europa League it would almost be the perfect competition for the young players to get Europe experience and pedigree whilst also offering a genuine chance at silverware and a viable route back into the UCL.

If we qualify for either competitions for me that is a successful season. Last season was so bad the bar for the first time for me at least is slightly lower because I think you have to be realistic. The sooner we learn to play vs low block and win consistently the nore likely we are to qualify for the UCL.

Either way I think we will have a deep cup run this season whether that's the League Cup or the FA Cup

8 hours ago, Gol15 said:

Imagine if it took much less time to get the squad running, if we had won against Brentford and N.Forest we would be top 6-7 right now with only 6 points behind Man City/Arsenal.

Let's not only imagine, but realise that our progression at the end of pre season into season proper stalled due to injuries. It meant whatever plans he had would have changed, in several areas of the park.

I don't expect or won't judge this squad and Poch's performance till next season. 

After the last couple of seasons the team has had, we should allow them grow and gel without the extra added pressure of fan expectations.

On 10/11/2023 at 23:06, dkw said:

We need to weight what we lose not having Gallagher there against what we gain with him in. In my opinion we desperately need him at the moment as he gives us energy and impetus, we create chances from him getting the ball back, and he isnt exactly a clogger, he creates opportunities for the other attackers and midfielders.

That might change in the future as we get players back from injury and settle into Poch`s way of playing though.

 

I think Enzo is the one most at risk when Nkunku has to be fitted in. As far as I can see we manage fine without Enzo. 

He isn’t getting in the way the way he was at the beginning of the season. We are playing 4 at the back, full backs are playing as full backs, wingers as wingers. As a result the natural talent of the players and spending time together is starting to show up. 

in his favour we mix up the long and the short game quite well. Also in his favour is the team seem to be enjoying the game right now. He has created an atmosphere where they are encouraged to express themselves. 

but I think we have more to offer just yet  one of those three mids will lose their spot to a creative down the track  

 

11 hours ago, KonaKai Blue said:

This is the big test. How do we consistently win these small games against defensive teams?

Won't be easy. There is no magical technique to beat park the bus team. You need to be precise and clinical. It is that simple. 

Or you can make the game very chaotic (pool way) but you need to be careful because if your player can't do it, your fan will think that you are stupid. 🤭🤭🤭

 

 

 

13 goals scored in our first 10 games. Just scored 8 in the last 2 games against Spurs and City.

Was always going to take time to click, just need to find a way to break down a low block now. 

Still got Lavia, Chuk, Chilwell and Nkunku to return too. Hopefully James can find form and not get injured again.

 

 

37 minutes ago, Argo said:

 

 

Beautiful football indeed ... and dare I say "Sexy" ... LOL

12 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Thought Taylor was alright tbh. 

He was fine. He was fine the last time he reffed Chelsea. The anti-Taylor vibe around here is, typically, juvenile.

1 hour ago, Argo said:

 

 

Remember Poch Tottenham at there best was similar and absolutely lethal at slicing through teams.

11 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Exactly. Only Luton we have beaten in the league who approached us defensively, and even they did not have an ultra low block.

Fulham, Burnley, Spurs, the draws vs Pool, City, Arsenal, all sides who wanted to play against us.

Pochettino said himself he does not know how to break the low block. IF he figures it out then, and only then, can we be one of the top sides again.

Most teams - Man City included - struggle against low blocks.

1 hour ago, dermott said:

Most teams - Man City included - struggle against low blocks.

But they find a way to break them, as their recent collection of league titles displays.

36 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

But they find a way to break them, as their recent collection of league titles displays.

Foden, Alvarez, Silva, Grealish, Doku

Lot of players that can create something out of nothing. 

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Foden, Alvarez, Silva, Grealish, Doku

Lot of players that can create something out of nothing. 

And that is what we will be expecting from Sterling, Palmer, Nkunku, Mudryk and Jackson.

Funny how some pundits are saying this performance and results are a "win" for Poch, as Gab and Jules have, while others, like Simon Jordan, say it shows he is a loser.

2 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Funny how some pundits are saying this performance and results are a "win" for Poch, as Gab and Jules have, while others, like Simon Jordan, say it shows he is a loser.

Simon Jordan is not worth reading or listening to

48 minutes ago, Frankie8Lampard said:

Simon Jordan is not worth reading or listening to

He seems to always have a gripe with Chelsea