The Invisible 85 Minutes: Why What Happens Off the Ball Is Destroying Spurs' Season
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| Johnson error, Porro error, Spence error, Bournemouth goal - an analysis |
Champions vs Pretenders: The Critical Mental Difference Revealed by a Triple World Cup Winner
It was brilliant to hear from Australian international cricketer legend Adam Gilchrist, himself a World Cup winner telling the SpursPlay guys that skill levels are much the same at the elite level, it's mentality that makes the difference.
Those who have it, rise above and perform at their top level more often.
From Cricket to Football: Adam Gilchrist's Perfect Lesson on Elite Mentality for Struggling Spurs
Every elite sportsman will tell you that, but fans still simply don't understand it and football doesn't embrace it, it's plain daft.
You find out about mentality at times like this because this is where you find out who has the belief needed and who doesn't.
For those of you who have no idea who Adam Gilchrist is:
- 3 time World Cup winner (once Man of the Match)
- Scored over 50 runs in each (54, 57, 149)
- He was voted 9th Best All-Rounder of the Last 100 Years
- Bowlers voted him the "World's Scariest Batsman" to bowl
- Voted into Australia best One-Day XI of all time
- Cricket writers voted him into Australia's best all-time XI
Suffice to say, they don't come much better as wicket-keeper batsmen than the destructive Adam Gilchrist.
Now is the time for mental strength to come forward and perform.
The Gilchrist Effect: Mentality Trumps Skill at Elite Level - Lessons for Spurs
Spurs need a squad full of the right mentalities, where the nerves of a must-win game turn into a high-quality performance.
The trouble is, that if some don't have the mental strength to thrive on the challenge on Thursday, then the team performance suffers and other players games are dragged down or made to look ineffective.
Ange Postecoglou said after the AZ Alkmaar 1st Leg tie that Spurs were to hesitant on the ball and in their pressing.
That, potentially, is caused by a lack of belief in the system, a lack of belief in what they are doing.
Not all, just some, but the some affects the output of the all.
Son, for instance, was at times pressing two players on his own so it was child play to play triangles around him.
Unless you all press together it doesn't work.
85 Minutes Off the Ball: Spurs Are Failing the Mentality Test
Watching the Bournemouth game you saw a difference in the presses. Their was full on and when they lost a ball the player sprinted back to get behind the ball.
Our press is a reactive press with a Spurs player closing down the man with the ball from too far away so he has time to pick a pass.
They seemed to press as a unit, we did not, ours, as I say, is more one man reacting at the moment.
It needs work, their pressing game is better than ours.
We used to press like them, but we don't now.
Three months of not having anyone to rotate and thus fatigue setting in, therefore results suffering, may have taken chunks out of the likes of Bissouma in the system.
I read some crap about our previous Premier League game to the Bournemouth game being season-defining.
This game against AZ Alkmaar is the biggest game of the season.
Let's see who rises to the challenge and can channel their nerves into a top-quality individual game and thus team performance.
Anyone who doesn't perform has questions to answer and may need sessions with a sports psychologist.
An Analysis of Bournemouth's 1st goal
The 'Switched Off' Syndrome: How Mental Lapses Are Costing Spurs Crucial Goals
I have mentioned several times now about how aimlessly we run forward and the Bournemouth opening goal came because Johnson was running preventing Porro from finding him with a pass.
What pass was Johnson expecting Porro to play because his run isn't creating space either?
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| Johnson's poor running off the ball |
Where is the intelligence off the ball?
That is what Sir Alex Ferguson used to look for, intelligence off the ball.
At no point has Johnson made himself a passing option and it's the only pass Porro has.
You can argue Porro should keep running, you have to question his choice in that situation too, but this highlighted the intelligent thinking required.
Porro makes the pass, it is cut out by Keerkez and Bournemouth go up the other end to score at the back post where Djed Spence is fast asleep.
The goalscorer Tavernier runs past him.
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| Bournemouth first goal vs Spurs analysis 1 |
You'll see in the picture analysis below that the ball is in mid-air.
Keerkez excellent cross has been made.
Danso has a man.
Spence should be reading where the ball is going and take responsibility, but he leaves it to Danso who can't intercept it.
The goalscorer Spence is marking is therefore unchallenged.
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| Bournemouth first goal vs Spurs analysis 2 |
This picture shows there is no chance of Danso being able to do anything.
Spence still hasn't read any danger but Tavernier sees an opportunity.
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| Bournemouth first goal vs Spurs analysis 3 |
Danso can't cut it out,
Tavernier has taken a chance.
Spence has left responsibility to someone else and not tracked his man.
A total lack of anticipation and game reading.
If Spence does his job, Bournemouth do not score.
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| Bournemouth first goal vs Spurs analysis 4 |
Running backwards and jumping is not easy, you can't get the elevation.
Spence, as a defender, ought to know this.
He doesn't anticipate Danso might not cut it out.
Spence has taken himself out of the game when it matters most.
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| Bournemouth first goal vs Spurs analysis 5 |
Now I appreciate some people are not going to like me pointing out the flaws in the greatest player ever to have graced our turf...
Or you'd think he was the way some eulogise about him...
Tough...
He has this lazy streak in his DNA...
He can dribble...
He can play a brilliant pass, yes...
BUT he turns off.
It was evident in his first few seasons with us, hence why no manager would pick him and Ange Postecoglou only did because he was forced to.
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| Bournemouth first goal vs Spurs analysis 6 |
And there is Spence throwing his arm in the air blaming Danso!
That there is not a winning mentality and that is my problem.
I keep saying it will rear its ugly head unless sports psychologists work on it.
A winning mentality takes responsibility...
Even for mistakes.
Romero vs Spence: What a Cricket Legend Teaches Us About Winning Mentality at Spurs
You saw Romero in the first few minutes give the ball away and Vicario saved his bacon.
Romero hand in the air apologising...
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY for his mistake.
The difference in mentality between that and Spence's reaction (blaming others) tells you why one is a World Cup winner and one people have been reluctant to play.
Now...
You can see the difference...
Or you can bury your head in the sand...
Your choice.
Adam Gilchrist tells you the difference between players, Romero showed you.
Spence must learn from this.
Someone must point it out.
That is what coaches are for...
That is what coaches do...
That is what coaches are supposed to see.
Now I'm not saying every player should hold their hand up every time...
But they should take responsibility.
Oh, and coaches are of different quality, just like players.
Are out coaches good enough to spot these errors?
I have to ask because they haven't figured out the sports psychologist solution to mentality problems yet.
World Cup Mentality: What Spurs Must Learn From Cricket Legend Adam Gilchrist
I refer you back to Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist.
Pre-game he told a story of playing at Eden Gardens in India in front of 100,000 people.
He took a single and run down the other end where the umpire said to him "the crowd were loud, weren't they."
Gilchrist replied, "were they."
He hadn't noticed when he was facing a bowler bowling at 90 miles an hour (153kmph).
Then standing at the bowler's end for the next ball, yes he heard the crows and they were noisy.
That is the difference between players.
Those who can switch the crowd off and concentrate for that second or two more often than other players.
That mentality is the difference that creates the very top players.
Djed Spence for that vital second or two was switched on.
These little things matter.
He has skill undoubtedly, he is good going forward, loves the ball at his feet...
But the most important aspect of the game is off the ball.
That is, after all, most of the game.
A player is only on the ball for roughly 5 minutes a game.
For 85 minutes he is off the ball.
What you do then counts.
Johnson's running off the ball, Spence asleep off the ball...
Result, we concede a goal.
You can't see his mistakes, hence why you are all calling for an England call-up.
I maintain there is a player there but he needs plenty to work on, especially mentally.
These minor things make the difference.
COYS
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