Newcastle v Spurs - The Problems

Newcastle v Spurs - The Problems

Frustration is the order of the day.

Newcastle v Spurs: First Half

An even first half although Spurs had 65% possession but throw-ins caused the problem!

We can't take them but Newcastle showed us how it's done with a quick one that saw James Maddison asleep so his man was past him, pulled it back and we are 1-0 down from their only shot on target in the first-half.

One of the things I talk about, how frustrating that it costs us.

The big disappointment for me was Son and Kulusevski not having first-time shots (once each) in that half. 

Why do modern-day footballers need the ball set up to kick it?

It's like they must have it in the perfect position or they don't shoot, both took a  touch and the chance was gone.

Pedro Porro scores his goals when he is running forward onto a shot, but running sideways to have a shot at 90 degrees or more is not is most players repoitre it seems.

That shot went over the bar, but to take that shot you have to wrsp your foot around the ball, not try, as he did, to just blast it as hard as you can.

Blasting a ball doesn't fix a poor technique and wrong decision, it exacerbates it and gives the opposition a rest and the ball back.

Newcastle v Spurs: Second Half

Of course, the second half was our other Achilles heel, clinical finishing, we should have score 2 goals in the opening 8 minutes.

Son was eased away from the ball by the defender, simply nor strong enough and Wilson Odobert missed a sitter. 

I'm sorry but these are highly paid professional football with high skill levels compared to the man in the park, but sometimes they finish like you on a Sunday morning.

Odobert is not a youngster that has come through the lower divisions, he learnt his trade at PSG, who for producing professional footballers in top leagues are in the Top 5 academies in Europe I believe.

A season in French football, a season in the Premier League, age makes no difference to putting a sitter away, confidence, application, mental calmness, concentration on the skill execution, controlling anxiety do.

How do you acquire them and apply them, you work on improving your mentality with a sports psychologist, that's their blooming job!

Why do footballers not train their brain?

As I say, frustration is the order of the day because we have the capability to fix these things, we (and every other club) refuse to do so because we are stuck in tradition and don't see it.

After 9 minutes Newcastle get lucky with a deflection that hits the bar and bounces out, a few inches away from a Pedro Porro goal or would it have been an own goal?

A Maddison shot in is pushed awayby England recalled goalkeeper Pope, but the much-maligned Brennan Johnson (5 goals, 10 assists last season) turns it back for Burn, trying to blast it over his own crossbar, puts it into the roof of his own net.

Johnson has been on the field 10 minutes and Spurs have scored.

OK, Johnson should have scored himself and missed, I'll give you that, I'll give you that, blooming finishing again!

57 mins:: Utterly ridiculous. A Newcastle player has headed the ball out after a Porro cross. Spurs stroll over to take it. We have players available and what do we do (Kulesevski), he thinks about it and then drop the ball for someone else to take it because it's more their position, their job.

Take the blooming thing quick, their defenders are in the box. Maddison is pointing where it needs to go. A pass straight back to Kulusevski and you have a crossing opportunity or play it square to Maddison.

By the time we take it there are three Newcastle players out there and our players are basically marked so we have to create something with passing. Blooming daft.

Look at the difference when Udogie actually takes it. 

The ball is in the air and there is one option.

Frustration is the order of the day.

We are prepared to throw a ball 50 yards backwards but we are not prepared to continue an attack.

What could that have led to?

Newcastle penned in, defenders and midfielders in the box, space to pick something out, no, let's let them close us down first.

Bissouma turned a Newcastle player inside our half and we were on the counter attack, Newcastle perform the same move, Joelinton turning Maddison, one pass and they are in behind 2-1 down.

Newcastle shots 7 Spurs shots 20

Johnson has made a wrong choice, also missed a shot, Kulusevski didn't shoot, our shots have not been clinical.

Spurs have been the better side, the side on the attack away from home and we have blown it again.

Poor finishing from us and frustration is the order of the day.

That says there isn't a lot wrong, but some of our fans already want all change, which means starting again and then they will complain we are starting again!

Honestly, our fans are a waste of space.

85 mins: Our throw-in near the corner flag, we don't know what to do with it, we take our time, one touch and we have lost it, corner to Newcastle!

My impression is when we attack we are always behind a Newcastle player so the man on the ball can't find anyone of them, not enough getting in front of them and some wrong options taken.

Another game we should have won.

Newcastle escaped with a win at home.

This is one to read. The England cricket team, the worst Test-playing side in the world and a new broom comes in to transform things. 

Rob Key talks about the how and why of rebuilding, the same rebuilding Spurs are undertaking so it'll help some understand the process a lot more. Spurs parallels with the England cricket team.

COYS