Tottenham Takeaways
That game shut a few people up, like Paul Merson who predicted a slaughter and the ESPN clown, no not Spurs hater Steve Nicol, who put only 2 players in his pre-game XI.
Micky Van de Ven should be in that every time and Destiny Udogie was far better than Nicol or Neville gave him credit for.
Bissouma had another excellent game, Son finished like Jesus couldn't and Kulusevski is starting to get back to his best, one pass through the defence to Son was sublime.
The Press
Maddison and Sarr were stopping Arsenal building from the back with Son being the front presser and Arsenal's stats show they couldn't build through the middle as they did last year.
This was a change in pressing style from Postecoglou in a 1-2 formation instead of a 2-2 formation.Stats also show Arsenal couldn't create anything centrally against us, which is where most goals are created.
The Postecoglou system is designed to push teams to attack down the flanks (furthest from goal) allowing the central Spurs players time to get back (less distance to goal).
Arsenal 6 shots on target Spurs 5
Arsenal goalkeeper saves 3 S[urs keeper saves 4
Our high line wasn't as high as in previous games either.
Spurs playing out from the back is designed to draw opposition players into one area of the field, usually Romero's side so the opposition press can be passed around.
Arsenal 6 shots on target Spurs 5
Arsenal goalkeeper saves 3 S[urs keeper saves 4
Our high line wasn't as high as in previous games either.
Bait The Trap
Spurs playing out from the back is designed to draw opposition players into one area of the field, usually Romero's side so the opposition press can be passed around.
It involves players running off the ball simply to pull an opposition player leaving space for a pass.
Passes are delayed centrally 35 yards from our goal until the man on the ball is pressed (drawing another player) then Spurs spring into attack 4 against 4 (having taken the other opposition players out of the game with this risky approach).
Passes are delayed centrally 35 yards from our goal until the man on the ball is pressed (drawing another player) then Spurs spring into attack 4 against 4 (having taken the other opposition players out of the game with this risky approach).
It is a risk-reward approach that goes amiss sometimes but the gain can be great.
We saw it go wrong with Bissouma once and nearer to goal, with Maddison once.
It involves not having the fear that you are going to be dispossessed so players lacking confidence are going to struggle.
We saw this in the League Cup where we had a team unused to playing that way, so not yet built the confidence in match situation. Until then it is just training ground theory.
Giving those squad players exposure to minutes of it was vital if they are going to be needed where it matters most, in the Premier League, because a top-four finish is always essential for growth.
Looking Forward
The first time Spurs attacked with purpose was down our right, from back to front.
Spurs sliced through Arsenal with ease.
We didn't score on that occasion, but that one movement highlighted how good Spurs can become in time.
The potential is enormous, it is a really exciting time to watch the club develop using this risk-reward strategy and it will involve having intelligent and mentally strong players.
As I have written many time, it takes 100% mental buy-in, having total and utter faith in what you are doing as a group.
That is there.
As long as that stays every Spurs fan should be excited by the potential.
This game was about the players believing and now, taking added belief from it moving forward. It's credit in the bank for when there is a set-back, which is merely a learning opportunity anyway.
COYS
1 comment
Does that mean that we are no longer Spursy, or that, maybe, we were a long time ago for a short period but that, since then, we've been the least Spursy side of the whole EPL?
This is the power of repetition. It allows people to say the most ridiculous and unsupported nonsense - as long as others have said it before. That doesn't mean we have to give it head-room. We just need to keep repeating that it's Artur Boruc (utter bollocks)! We have the benefit of knowing that what we say is supported by facts & reality, and what they say is purely wishful thinking - backed by, frankly, nothing at all.
COYS!!