Spurs vs Everton 5th March 2017 13:30

[captainvindaloo]

Our weaknesses were exposed today. We all know what they are. The odds of getting anything out of this game were heavily against us before we even made the journey down there. The only thing that surprised me was Barry starting. I would have prefered us going all out for a goal in the first half, then park the bus and frustrate the home crowd.
Instead we played into their hands, gifted soft goals and then, only then, finally, did we go out and actual try something different. McCarthy for Barry, all too little, too late.

 

[Kenshin]

Probably away from the negativity , getting beat by a team who have won the last 9 home games in a row, are second in the league and are largely a better team than us isn't the end of the world.

Yes we may not have helped ourselves today but we were due a bad game and better to get it out the way against a team away where we were probably going to struggle to win anyway. As much as I would have loved 3 points here, we are still not in a position to challenge that top 4 just yet

 

[brettangellnightporter]

Anyone got a link to a full match replay?

 

[bluestevon]

Mori probably had his best game ( imo ) a against Sunderland but overall he's a bloody accident waiting to happen. Distribution is piss poor, positionally gets caught out and for some reason holds onto the ball far too long when he doesn't need to and then needlessly gives it away.

Reminds me of collochini for Newcastle, get rid to Italy or Spain come the summer. Rather see holgate or even Pennington play than him again, mistake ridden, crap positional sense and the only argentinian international ever who can't actually pass a ball.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Had a siesta after the match and have come back on in a better mood.

Seriously think we should put this down to a bad day at the office. First and foremost from Koeman.

Saw a lot of posts during the match in which the gist was ''on this evidence we are a long way from top 4/6''. Well my question would be what conclusions can we get from the evidence of the wins against City and Arsenal?

The truth is one single match offers up evidence of nothing. The pattern over the season would suggest that at home we are a top 4 side but away from home we are still a mid table side. Put them together and we are a work in progress and exactly where we deserve to be.

At the same time Spurs home form suggests title winning side. They played Chelsea off the park for long stretches at their place. Their away form means they're a little bit lacking and will end up second or third.

 

[Bagpuss]

I half expected koeman to pack the midfield today but expected the extra man to be McCarthy not Barry as spurs have very high energy. Unfortunately the gamble didn't work and we hardly got a foothold in the game at all first half. Having said that we can't pin everything on one player and it seemed only Ross bothered to really turn up today as most of our players fell well below the levels they have been performing at lately. The whole defence looked shaky again and schneiderlin had his poorest game for us.
On a positive note we still managed to score twice against the best defensive unit in the league for me. Funes Mori may well have just given Pennington his chance to stake a claim for a first team place and Williams seemed to have lost his head a few times. Joel should have done better with the opener but made his now customery 1-1 save which we seem to be giving teams every game. A bad day at the office but sure we will bounce back and happy with the general direction that Koeman has got us going in. No need for any massive knee jerk reaction to a result most would have expected.

 

[catcherintherye]

Reminds me of collochini for Newcastle, get rid to Italy or Spain come the summer. Rather see holgate or even Pennington play than him again, mistake ridden, crap positional sense and the only argentinian international ever who can't actually pass a ball.

I think today will be a very telling moment for a lot of players. Baines and Mori are two who I think that's particularly true of. Barry had a poor game, but in all honesty I think his moment has passed. Our midfield 3 were poor, but were used in an odd way, so again thats understandable.

Today was always going to be a chance to learn something about our team. Whether we could continue the level of performances and results we've seen this year. To see how close we are to one of the top 3 teams in the division. Today we found out we are still a way off.

We have bombed out the real rubbish (Lennon, Kone and Jagielka will almost certainly be gone come the summer) and we are now getting to the point where we start to look at lads who we probably quite like but may not be good enough. Not for where we want to be anyway. I think Mori fits into that now. It's one thing being good against Sunderland, but we need lads who can produce that at places like White Hart Lane.

I see Mori and he does lots of things very well but lots of other parts of the game are very raw. I suppose that reflects his unusual route and late development into the game. His distribution is not only poor, but often clumsy and puts us under pressure. His positional sense also puts us under pressure. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pennington get a chance before the season's out, given Koeman's comments.

As for Baines, I regret to say it massively. I don't think he will be sold as he will be useful around the squad. I'm not sure he has the legs to play that position anymore. A number of times today he was in space and needed to go past his man and whip a ball in. On the 3 or 4 occasions he had he didn't do it. I suspect we'll see a left sided player this summer. I'd love to see a Chilwell or Robertson from Hull.

 

[rochdaleblue]

Anyone got a link to a full match replay?

I wouldn't bother mate. Just watch last 10 mins only to ease the pain.

 

[rochdaleblue]

I think today will be a very telling moment for a lot of players. Baines and Mori are two who I think that's particularly true of. Barry had a poor game, but in all honesty I think his moment has passed. Our midfield 3 were poor, but were used in an odd way, so again thats understandable.

Today was always going to be a chance to learn something about our team. Whether we could continue the level of performances and results we've seen this year. To see how close we are to one of the top 3 teams in the division. Today we found out we are still a way off.

We have bombed out the real rubbish (Lennon, Kone and Jagielka will almost certainly be gone come the summer) and we are now getting to the point where we start to look at lads who we probably quite like but may not be good enough. Not for where we want to be anyway. I think Mori fits into that now. It's one thing being good against Sunderland, but we need lads who can produce that at places like White Hart Lane.

I see Mori and he does lots of things very well but lots of other parts of the game are very raw. I suppose that reflects his unusual route and late development into the game. His distribution is not only poor, but often clumsy and puts us under pressure. His positional sense also puts us under pressure. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pennington get a chance before the season's out, given Koeman's comments.

As for Baines, I regret to say it massively. I don't think he will be sold as he will be useful around the squad. I'm not sure he has the legs to play that position anymore. A number of times today he was in space and needed to go past his man and whip a ball in. On the 3 or 4 occasions he had he didn't do it. I suspect we'll see a left sided player this summer. I'd love to see a Chilwell or Robertson from Hull.

Your point about Baines is a valid one. Although not his best game, consider the threat Coleman offers from the right and that is what Baines used to offer us from the left but sadly not anymore.

 

[CynicalBlue]

I went today and realised when the teams were announced that Koeman had made an error in not playing 3 at the back.
That said, we did not do ourselves any favours at the back and actually gifted Spurs two goals.
I thought Gana was unusually poor and also that Barry shouldn't start another game for us.
I was impressed with Ross who picked passes with ease, also Rom was solid up top.

It was apparent though that Baines no longer carries an attacking threat which must be addressed.

Long day, although not as long as most of you guys (I live on the South Coast) but I met some decent Evertonians and I'm so glad we no longer have to play at WHL and hope for better days in their new stadium.

 

[bluestevon]

I think today will be a very telling moment for a lot of players. Baines and Mori are two who I think that's particularly true of. Barry had a poor game, but in all honesty I think his moment has passed. Our midfield 3 were poor, but were used in an odd way, so again thats understandable.

Today was always going to be a chance to learn something about our team. Whether we could continue the level of performances and results we've seen this year. To see how close we are to one of the top 3 teams in the division. Today we found out we are still a way off.

We have bombed out the real rubbish (Lennon, Kone and Jagielka will almost certainly be gone come the summer) and we are now getting to the point where we start to look at lads who we probably quite like but may not be good enough. Not for where we want to be anyway. I think Mori fits into that now. It's one thing being good against Sunderland, but we need lads who can produce that at places like White Hart Lane.

I see Mori and he does lots of things very well but lots of other parts of the game are very raw. I suppose that reflects his unusual route and late development into the game. His distribution is not only poor, but often clumsy and puts us under pressure. His positional sense also puts us under pressure. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pennington get a chance before the season's out, given Koeman's comments.

As for Baines, I regret to say it massively. I don't think he will be sold as he will be useful around the squad. I'm not sure he has the legs to play that position anymore. A number of times today he was in space and needed to go past his man and whip a ball in. On the 3 or 4 occasions he had he didn't do it. I suspect we'll see a left sided player this summer. I'd love to see a Chilwell or Robertson from Hull.

Wouldn't judge Baines overly based on this game mate, he was against Walker - who could be the best right back (and maybe the fastest in the league - only Bellerin comes close) - he has always struggled against him - as Walkers strengths are exactly what Baines weak parts are.

What i would say though, Koemans preferred system really needs pace out wide - Baines doesn't have that.

as for Mori - he's just rubbish, if he played for anyone else then not one of us would rate him or try to look for parts of his game he does well (because frankly i don't see what he actually does better than average)

 

[wiggie]

Anyone got a link to a full match replay?

Samaritons

 

[catcherintherye]

Wouldn't judge Baines overly based on this game mate, he was against Walker - who could be the best right back (and maybe the fastest in the league - only Bellerin comes close) - he has always struggled against him - as Walkers strengths are exactly what Baines weak parts are.

as for Mori - he's just rubbish, if he played for anyone else then not one of us would rate him or try to look for parts of his game he does well (because frankly i don't see what he actually does better than average)

No thats fair on Baines, however if you are looking at 1 off games you are best to pick one where you want to be. He's a solid defender, but I am not sure he's what Koeman wants long term. As I said I'd try for Chilwell or Robertson, knowing in some games you can play them in front of Baines.

It's a fair point on Mori. I see his strengths as he is quite aggressive, decent in the air and not the slowest. He also makes quite good last ditch tackles/blocks. To me he's an instinctive player, when he doesn't have to think about the game he is better. As sides get better though, with more intelligent forwards, they will target him. I can us bringing 2 centre backs in if Mori goes. Would be happy with Keane & Gibson.

 

[bluestevon]

No thats fair on Baines, however if you are looking at 1 off games you are best to pick one where you want to be. He's a solid defender, but I am not sure he's what Koeman wants long term. As I said I'd try for Chilwell or Robertson, knowing in some games you can play them in front of Baines.

It's a fair point on Mori. I see his strengths as he is quite aggressive, decent in the air and not the slowest. He also makes quite good last ditch tackles/blocks. To me he's an instinctive player, when he doesn't have to think about the game he is better. As sides get better though, with more intelligent forwards, they will target him. I can us bringing 2 centre backs in if Mori goes. Would be happy with Keane & Gibson.

The way I tend to view cbs is how I reckon lukaku would fair against then should they be playing against us, and he'd absolutely crucify mori I feel,

Right nowvtge teams out of kilter, we have a group of midfielders who would excel in a high pressing game, but lack someone up top to lead that, basically the lookman, mirrallas, lukaku positions, we'd need one of those capable and just don't have it, we also lack the cbs to play a higher line, both areas need addressing come the summer, else we wil have a great central midfield which best attribute will just be wasted

 

[RomanReigns]

I think today we realised that there is a massive gulf in quality between us and the top 4

We need 2 top quality centre halves and a creative midfielder