Tottenham 1-1 Wolves: Verdict Thread

[The Saturday Boy]

I don’t get what people didn’t see in Arias’ performance which was easily the best he has had so far. Always looking for the ball, played intelligently when he had the ball and was impressive with defensive duties. I still think there is more to come from him but if this can become his “standard” level then no complaints here.

For the first time this season in the league, we haven’t looked like we might actually win a game. We still lack goals, but didn’t look like we would concede at every opportunity.

 

[The Saturday Boy]

As for Arias’ set pieces…Doherty hit the post one corner and we scored from another.

 

[Loki]

I don’t get what people didn’t see in Arias’ performance which was easily the best he has had so far. Always looking for the ball, played intelligently when he had the ball and was impressive with defensive duties. I still think there is more to come from him but if this can become his “standard” level then no complaints here.

For the first time this season in the league, we haven’t looked like we might actually win a game. We still lack goals, but didn’t look like we would concede at every opportunity.

I criticised him first half for seeming a bit lightweight, he was getting knocked off the ball quite a bit. Second half he was much improved, I hope Vitor has found the right way to play him.

 

[AndyWolves]

In isolation we'd be happy with this game, it's just in the context of the rest of the league season being dog turd it feels like we missed out

 

[Loki]

The first green shoots of the season though.

 

[Haggstone]

Its such fine margins, on another night Spurs could have been one or two up at halftime. Very different second half then and we would be talking about how hopeless our situation is. Everything is on a knife edge right now. I'm hoping despite not getting the win, last night represents a turning point, like the Bennett tackle against Chelsea in the first season back. Fail to capitalise on last night over the next three games and we are well and truly done.

 

[slink]

After the second half we definitely deserved the 3 points i think but just lost that bit of composure in the final minute and chased a little too much. 4 at the back was fine first half but we were really struggling to get out effectively with basically no players on the right as Arias kept coming inside and Doc couldn’t get forward and then we had Hwang on the left. The 2 changes at half time allowed us to break the press and get up the pitch.

We really needed 3 points but at least we’ve showed signs of life over the last 2 games and hopefully we can continue that next Sunday. On the players…

Johnstone - If he can keep this form up he’s rightly number 1 but also a half decent Premier League keeper. Definitely makes us more assured at the back.

Doherty - Did ok in the week but never going to be able to play right back in an intense Premier League game. Probably should have done better with his chance at the end of the first half. Should never play there again.

S.Bueno - Finally seeing what he should be and combative and strong centre half, maybe could have thrown everything at Palhinha at the end but not really a criticism. Rightly should be in the team and much improved this season.

Krejci - In todays market looks every inch a £30m pound player for me. Slotted right in to both roles and someone we should be building around. The look he gave Agbadou when he passed it straight out of play said quite a lot.

H.Bueno - Been the surprise of the season for me. Had no help at all with Kudus and while he did cause trouble i think he defended quite well and forced Spurs back a lot. Looks even better second half and another player that’s rightly in the team on performance.

Andre - Sensational footballer. Just the best footballer on the pitch and whether he’s pissed off at Jeff or Vitor someone needs to apologise. First to come to the fans at the end but also first off the pitch so clearly still not happy but it’s not affecting his performance. Best sides in Europe should really be looking to sign him.

J.Gomes - Better from him but i still think there’s lots of improvement to come. Big job for himself and Vitor to get it out of him. Got lucky with the Kudus offside as it was him that dived in and opened us up. Terrible decision from Salisbury to book him which meant he rightly had to be taken off.

Arias - He might have been able to play on the right in Brazil or at times Internationally but he cannot in this league. Second half when he moved inside and was allowed to drift he was so much better. Looks a very good footballer who is basically a third midfielder/number 10. As for his corners, it’s quite clearly a tactic to go near post and look for flick ones, the nature of that means sometimes the first man is going to head it away.

Munetsi - He’s generally pretty good off the ball but he did over commit for the equaliser. I get why Vitor likes him, he wins lots of duels and second balls but still not good enough on the ball.

Hwang - Feel really sorry for him because he just shouldn’t be playing. Looks so out of his depth it’s unreal. Shouldn’t play again unless we have a massive injury crisis.

Larsen - No real service but did a job for the team. Got to find a way to get the ball in the box for him because we know he can finish.

Subs…

Tchatchoua - The best we’ve seen from him so far. Showed his pace to track back especially on Van Der Ven and didn’t let any of the wide players get past him. Has to get better in the final third now and get balls in to the box.

Agbadou - Defensively he was fine but still a bomb scare on the ball. Just has to simplify everything which was a problem sometimes in France too and we’re seeing that now. Needs a few weeks out of the team.

Bellegarde - Better from him when he replaced Joao. Needs to be at this level more but needs to add goals and assists when he’s playing.

Tolu - Should have been introduced earlier and put himself about well. Think he’s going to be fine in the league again if we can find a way to get players round him.

Toti - Didn’t do anything wrong but just not a sub that was needed. Arias or if another midfielder had replaced him may have been in and around Palhinha. They may not have too but we didn’t need another centre back on.

Glad Vitor has shown that he can adapt over the last 2 weeks and he’s going to have to continue to do that. We do need to find a way of being more of a threat on the ball too but as much as we’re not great i do think it’s proved we’re in there with all those other teams, we just need a win now.

One final thing on the fans, fucking infuriating. Couldn’t get enough of banging the metal in the concourse and singing before the game, dead silence from most during the 90 mins. If you don’t want to sing no issue but videoing yourself singing Albion get battered while banging the metal before the game just so you can post it on social media to then be a mute during the game can get to fuck.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Great post Slink

 

[jlo]

Agree with most of that Slink but the Wolves fans near me were loud. In the concourse it was just fucking weird

 

[slink]

Agree with most of that Slink but the Wolves fans near me were loud. In the concourse it was just fucking weird

Plenty were loud but so many i saw in the concourse making plenty of noise to then be absolutely silent during the game. Makes no sense.

 

[Carsy]

As for Arias’ set pieces…Doherty hit the post one corner and we scored from another.

It’s the feast or famine with near post corners in the 6 yard area. Tend to either be very effective and cause chaos. Or they don’t bear the first man. Little in between

 

[sycophantia]

It’s the feast or famine with near post corners in the 6 yard area. Tend to either be very effective and cause chaos. Or they don’t bear the first man. Little in between

That's the nature of corners anyway though? They rarely lead to goals so maybe Vitor has identified its the best option for the players we have, worth most of them getting cleared for the odd one that causes chaos?

 

[Mel Evo]

It’s the feast or famine with near post corners in the 6 yard area. Tend to either be very effective and cause chaos. Or they don’t bear the first man. Little in between

Though I guess statistically all corners are feast or famine, and overwhelmingly the latter, if you measure in goals as opposed to, well, what?

 

[Mel Evo]

That's the nature of corners anyway though? They rarely lead to goals so maybe Vitor has identified its the best option for the players we have, worth most of them getting cleared for the odd one that causes chaos?

Oops. Not spotted your post that essentially says the same thing! Don’t get me wrong, I’m an instinctive “you’ve got to beat the first man” whinger when watching.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Oops. Not spotted your post that essentially says the same thing! Don’t get me wrong, I’m an instinctive “you’ve got to beat the first man” whinger when watching.

If you're also a "Switch It!" man in the stands then you and I are going to have to have words.

 

[Mel Evo]

If you're also a "Switch It!" man in the stands then you and I are going to have to have words.

Where I sit the player id most likely be asking to do that is Toti, so it’s not something I’m often encouraging.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

If you're also a "Switch It!" man in the stands then you and I are going to have to have words.

"Gerit fuwud"

After 2 passes between centre backs...

Then silence when the ball sails out of play for a goal kick.

That felt like 70% of what I heard in the 90s and 00s the rest was slagging off Naylor.

 

[SSB]

In the concourse it was just fucking weird

Plenty of rich folk if they can afford to chuck their £7 pints in the air.

 

[Alan]

Re: Arias; much like Jean, he's not a winger and never has been. If I had a worry about him, it was if he could fit into one of the roles played in England, because the sort of free-wheeling #8 he was at Flum was just never going to be what he would be able to do here, both because of the increase in opposition quality and because of the tactical paradigm everyone in England seems to be operating under at the moment.

He is exceptionally strong on the ball; at least, has been. At the moment I'm willing to dismiss his early waifish-ness as the after-effects of a very long summer playing in dangerously hot/humid conditions (seriously, that Fluminense v Chelsea match that was played here in Charlotte was insane to kick when it did; 39C at kickoff FFS).

 

[sycophantia]

Oops. Not spotted your post that essentially says the same thing! Don’t get me wrong, I’m an instinctive “you’ve got to beat the first man” whinger when watching.

Don't worry about it, after 45 years of marriage I'm pretty used to most things I say being ignored